So, this update is late. I have my exams this year, so till May next year, the updates are going to be extremely slow. My writing time will be cut down.

On a happier note. this story has reached 10200+ views! Hurrah! I had wanted to give a double length chapter, but it could not be done:(

Anyway, on to CHAPTER 11


Chapter 11

It was evening, and Evanna was in her room, getting ready for the 'party'. It was nothing much, just a gathering where everyone could give her their gifts, and Evanna was not particularly happy today. On one hand, she was finally free of all the manipulations in her life, but she had lost all trust in her former friends. She was sure that only Neville and Luna were the only ones not involved with Dumbledore's schemes. Other than them, she was hoping that the twins were also on her side. They were her annoying mischievous older brothers, who could cheer her up every time.

Evanna had to take care of her wings while walking to the Living Room. They were still a light grey; the colours would come in once her powers settled. She was thinking that they would still turn into either black or some drab colour, representing her bleak life. Shaking herself out of the depressing thoughts, she plastered a smile on her face. 'It's my birthday, I shouldn't be gloomy today.'

The smile on her face became genuine as she noticed the decorations in the room. The room had been decorated in soft hues of blue and purple, her favourite colours. Everyone was sitting on the lounge chairs, and talking amiably. Evanna noticed that Narcissa Malfoy was also there, and she was quite happy to have some female company. Just then, Draco noticed her and broke into a huge smile.

"Come on, we have a cake ready for you!" he said, while dragging her to the middle of the room. Evanna laughed, and let herself be led. The cake in front of her was gorgeous. Cutting it would seem like murder, but the smell was mouth watering. Even though, Evanna had been down in the dumps for the past two days, she was finally excited about her birthday. It signified a new beginning, and that her life had taken a new turn. She had new allies, and a new reason to live. She wanted to live to find her mates, she wanted to oust Dumbledore in front of the Wizarding world, but most of all, she wanted to finally be free and live on her own terms.

Remus was very happy to see Evanna smiling genuinely after a very long time. She had not smiled properly since she had talked to Sirius regarding her adoption, which was not finalised. Evanna had been looking forward to finally having a father figure in her life. To have someone to scold her when she got into dangerous situations, and then worry about her to the highest degree. While Sirius never got the chance to tease her about her potential boyfriends and then refuse to let her grow up, Remus had decided that he would make sure that he, himself would always be present to make sure that Evanna was always happy and to be her moral support. He would not let his affliction as a werewolf ruin his relationship with her; after all, it was a less known fact that females of Evanna's bloodline could use their inherent power to calm a werewolf, Evanna of all people was completely safe from him on the full moon.

Severus was surprised to see Evanna so happy. He was not used to her being so open in his presence, much less in the presence of Tom. This openness from his mate was a tentative acceptance to his creature. His inner self kept reminding him that he had to mend his relationship with her, that he would only live a half-life if she rejected him. Even having Tom as a mate would not completely remove the pain of rejection.

Narcissa and Lucius were observing the girl who they once believed was their enemy. They had hated her, for destroying everything that they had been fighting for their whole lives. Now that their Lord had decided to take a different approach towards things, then prospects were suddenly looking brighter, and possibilities endless. Evanna Potter had always been a beacon for the Light. They had never even considered that she might end up against Dumbledore. She had always seemed so good, so bright that it was inconceivable that she had such a horrible life. The girl had played everyone. She had only let everyone see what he or she wanted to see, and hidden her true self like a true Slytherin. Honestly, being sorted into Gryffindor had been her most Slytherin move, no one had expected the Gryffindor golden girl to be a mistreated young girl who was not actually as light as she had let everyone believe. Lucius particularly, was still having trouble digesting the fact that his son had been her friend and hat he was able to hide for more than three years. Now, seeing Evanna smile so happily, they could completely understand why their son had been so captivated by the girl. She was a precious diamond among the coal. She had a beauty to her that could not be described, and she was precious enough to protect with all your might.


The party was amazing. After cutting the cake and having dinner, Evanna was now opening her gifts. The first one was wrapped in purple, which was from Draco. The box was very big, and she could just tell that he had brought her a new wardrobe. He had been complaining about her clothes since they had become friends, but she could not get new clothes as long as she was living with the Durselys. The box was filled with all sorts of fancy dresses and robes, as well as a few casual ones. "I'll go shopping with you; you still need everyday clothes, and make-up, as well as accessories. I need your opinion on what to buy. I may be good with clothes, but your eye for jewelry is amazing,"was what he said.

The next gift she opened was from the elder Malfoys. She carefully unwrapped the present and was faced with a beautiful jewelry box. It was decorated with emeralds and silver, engraved with a majestic dragon. Narcissa had said that Draco had chosen it, and it was a family heirloom, it was given to the daughter of the family on her sixteenth birthday. However, since they had no daughter, and Draco considered her a sister, they were giving it to her. Evanna's eyes filled with tears at the declaration. She understood the importance of them giving her a Family heirloom; they were adopting her, even if it was not legal.

Remus had given her a chest full of her parents' and Sirius' pictures, and she had cried as she saw her parents. They had been so happy, so young. She couldn't help but wonder if they would have been happier if she had never been born. Draco distracted her from her depressing thoughts by handing her another gift.

Blaise had sent his gift through the floo as he was visiting his Grandmother in Italy, and he could not attend the party. He had given her rare books on healing spells, and she was grateful. Because of all the times she had ended up in the Hogwarts Infirmary, she had developed an interest in healing.

The biggest gift there was at least as tall as she was, and it did not seem to be in any kind of box. Just as she touched the wrapping paper, it turned into a thousand golden butterflies, which flocked around her, tickling and everyone heard as Evanna's bell-like laughter rung out through the whole room. It was the most beautiful sound Severus and Tom had ever heard. They watched as the butterflies disappeared and Evanna actually looked at her birthday present.

There were at least fifteen stuffed toys; half of them were teddy bears of various colours. But what caught Evanna's immediate attention was a stag with a lily dangling from its mouth. There was also a huge shaggy black dog with a goofy grin on its face. The rest being a huge wolf and twin foxes and a badger and a raven. Evanna was immediately able to associate the animals with her remaining friends. She turned towards Snape and Riddle with tears in her eyes. Most teenagers would consider an extremely childish gift; but to her, who had never had toys of her own; they were a great present that she would treasure. Moreover, she was sure and both the dark haired men had paid careful attention to her life story to be able to remember her quirks and how she had described each of her friends. As all the piled stuffed toys fell down, she also noticed a small box lying in the middle. It was simple and plain, but once she opened it, Evanna gaped in awe. It was the most beautiful bracelet she had ever seen. It was silver with entwined snakes forming intricate knots. The bracelet was studded with rubies, and she could see the numerous runes etched into the silver. Evanna's attention was then diverted when Tom started speaking.

"There are more than hundred rune arrays carved in that bracelet. It will protect you from the strongest spells, with the exclusion of the Unforgivables. It is also a permanent portkey. All you have to do is say 'home' in parseltongue, and it will bring you straight back here."

"Thank You, Tom. This was one of the best gifts, anyone has ever given me." Evanna said.

Severus was watching closely. This was the first time that Evanna had talked directly to Tom and called him by name. He could sense how happy Tom had become just hearing his name from her mouth. This counted as progress, because Evanna still did not know that they were her mates. Severus was sure that it would not be long until she felt the connection, and that was where the true test would begin. After all, they would have to woo her, and make her agreeable to the idea, that her former enemies were going to be her life partners.


I think this chapter was good. I had to think a lot for it, and I had to rewrite it at least five times. SO YOU PEOPLE HAD BETTER LIKE IT!

Next will be the meeting with the Goblins, and kicking the Weaselys out of Grimmalud Place. That chapter is going to be fun!

-clicheluver