I hope the next chapter is to everyone's liking. Also, I changed the cover for this story because after HOURS of searching I finally found a photo that looks like Eva (as I see her). The hair colour is a bit too light, but otherwise it's spot on. This is one of those (many) times when I wish I could draw people…

Shout out to Briarsharley for giving me a favourite, and to DCV2AVP for following *hugs*

JayDee, thank you for the reviews! I'm super glad to hear that's what you're hoping happens… In fact, I think you'll like this chapter ;)

Dul'mephistos – Thanks for the review! I really appreciate your input You're right, the fully fueled car was probably a bit of a stretch for Scor's Transfiguration abilities, but I had a dream about that scene (no joke) and I absolutely had to do it! Hopefully it wasn't too unbelievable. As for the romance…I initially had Rose/Scorpius and Eva/James as my pairings, but once I began writing I realized that the characters weren't who I had originally thought them to be. While I love the idea of the Weasleys and the Malfoys being joined by marriage I feel like Rose/Scorpius, at least in my fiction, aren't really right for each other. Rose is fierce and fiery, and she holds everyone to a really high standard. She expects everyone to be as straight-forward and altruistic as she is. After all, she was raised by two of the most noble and self-sacrificing families of all time. While I can see how she and Scorpius could have been attracted to each other, I honestly couldn't see them making each other happy, at least not at this age. Rose would always be demanding something from Scorpius that he couldn't give. He would forever be falling short of her expectations, and he is stubborn enough that he would never justify himself to her. She can see his weakness, but not his strength. While I see why everyone ships them (and in JKR's universe I do see them together), it didn't feel right to me in the end. It was supposed to, but it didn't. Maybe it's because Scorpius turned out a lot more like Draco than I had anticipated.

Ch 14. A Complicated Forgiveness

Eva watched the snowflakes slide past the diamond windowpanes of the Hogwarts library. The first real December blizzard had begun overnight, and it didn't show any signs of letting up. Even the Gryffindor Quidditch practice had been cancelled. Eva's eyes drifted from the window to a despondent looking Rose. Her friend was chewing absent mindedly on her fingernails while reading over Eva's Transfiguration essay. The two of them had just finished their first ever Apparition lesson, and Eva was fairly certain it would take more than three lessons for her to get the hang of it. Rose on the other hand seemed to be a natural.

Eva sighed and rested her chin in her hands. There was a feeling of despair clinging to the ancient walls that not even the rapid approach of Christmas could quell.

It's really starting to feel like war now.

The new Death Eaters had been busy. Seven muggle buildings had been demolished, including a supermarket and a church. Death Eaters who had renounced their title after Voldemort's downfall and given information to the Ministry were being murdered with a startling frequency, though the Ministry was far more concerned by the murders within their own ranks. Two senior Ministry officials had been killed in their homes, one of whom had been a formidable Auror. Eva knew Mr. Potter suspected the Elder wand in the murder, though the wizarding community still had no idea that the Deathstick had been unleashed.

At least fifteen Hogwarts students had lost family members, either to the strikes on the wizarding community, or in the frequent terror attacks on muggle buildings. The Dementors had been seen twice more, though none of the attacks had been as concentrated as the one in Hogsmeade on November first.

After the attack on Hogsmeade, the entire school had begun looking at Eva like some sort of human crystal ball. She was asked everything from whether or not the Chudely Cannons would win the Quidditch World Cup, to the fate of family members and political figures. Headmistress McGonagall had even called her to the office a few times, wanting to know if she had seen anything. She hadn't.

Eva rubbed her eyes as Rose passed back her essay.

"It's good. I switched a few things around but otherwise it's fine," Rose yawned.

"Thanks," Eva said, tucking it back into her bag without looking at it.

Both friends gazed out the window in silence for a few minutes before Rose began gathering her things and shoving them into her bag so that she could meet Luka.

"I'll see you for dinner, Ev. Good luck with the rest of your homework."

"Have fun with Luka," Eva replied, pulling out her Charms homework.

Eva began scribbling down incantations on her parchment, doggedly working through her final assignment due before the holidays began. There were only four days of classes left, and once the annual Christmas Ball was over Eva would be free to join the Potters and Weasleys for Christmas vacation. Eva doodled a small holly bush with her quill. It seemed odd to her that another Christmas had arrived, this time without either of her parents around to share it with her. Despite the ache in her heart, she didn't feel as upset as she had thought she would. She missed her parents, but with the war looming over everyone, Eva couldn't help but feel a small bit of relief that her parents couldn't be hurt anymore. She didn't believe in Heaven or anything like that, but after all the magic she had witnessed over the last six years she couldn't believe that they were just gone either.

"Eva?"

Eva looked up in surprise to see Cassie standing across from the table, the Slytherin emblem bringing out the green in her hazel eyes.

"Hi Cassie," Eva gave her a small smile. She liked Cassie a lot, but the girl was quite reserved and Eva had found it hard to get close with her.

Cassie took a seat across from her, "I was wondering if I could ask you something."

Eva tilted her head to the side a little bit, briefly wondering if Cassie was going to do what everyone else had done over the last few weeks and ask her to predict the future. She hoped not.

"Has Al mentioned the Ball to you?"

"Erm, no." Eva said honestly, confused.

Cassie shifted awkwardly in her seat, seemingly unable to meet Eva's eyes.

"Well, he hasn't asked me."

Eva couldn't help but smile, "He probably doesn't think he has to, Cassie."

"Yeah, that's what I had thought too… So I brought it up," Cassie's face went red, "and he sort of avoided answering me."

Eva didn't bother hiding her surprise.

Cassie continued, "I was wondering if you… If he had said anything to you about me."

"Only that he really likes you."

Albus had actually used the word 'love' to describe how he felt, but Eva didn't know if he had told Cassie yet, and she didn't want to be the one to relay the news.

Cassie nodded slowly, "Is there anything going on between you two?"

Eva actually choked on her inhale, "What?!"

Cassie went a darker shade of red, "It's just that he talks about you all the time and I know you've been living with his family…"

Eva fought back a feeling of nausea as she pictured her and Al in some sort of lover's embrace, "Oh god, Cassie. No. Definitely not. We're only friends."

Cassie rubbed her face with her hands, "I feel like such an idiot talking to you about this, I'm sorry. I know you guys are just friends. I'm…" she trailed off, looking embarrassed again, "it's just, well, we had sex, and now he doesn't want to go to the Ball with me, and I'm worried something changed. I'm completely panicking because, well, I'm in love with him."

Wow. Am I the only virgin left in Hogwarts?

"Cassie, listen, nothing has changed, I swear. I talked to him the other day and all he said was how much he likes you, and how happy he is with you."

Cassie looked calmer, "Really?"

Eva couldn't believe she was reassuring Cassie Greengrass. The girl usually made Kate Middleton look hysterical.

"He is doing some sort of weird guy thing. I'll talk to him."

Cassie shook her head, "No, don't bother. I'm just over-reacting."

"If you're sure."

"Yes, I'm sure." She smiled, "Thanks for your help, Eva."

Eva watched Cassie walk away, and began packing her things into her bag. She was definitely going to talk to Albus.

O

Rose leaned back into the pillows and tried to look satisfied. She knew she wasn't supposed to fake an orgasm, but she was starting to get annoyed with Luka's endless questions about her experience. She couldn't even enjoy the post-sex cuddle anymore without him trying to finish the job. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate his efforts, they just weren't working. It seemed like whatever he did to make himself feel good, but not too good, didn't do anything for her. Unfortunately, when she took control and tried to get what she wanted…he only lasted about five seconds. Then he would feel guilty and try and remedy the "problem" by fingering her…which also never worked.

"That was a-mazing, Rose."

"M-hmm," she nodded, using his blue sheets to wipe away his fluids from the inside of her thighs.

Face it, you just aren't as in to him anymore.

Rose rolled over onto her stomach, hoping he took her silence for satisfaction-induced sleepiness. She didn't know what had happened to her feelings for him, but they certainly weren't what they had been.

What's wrong with you, Rose? You've only just started having sex with him. You told him you loved him.

Rose nibbled her lip. She didn't know why she wasn't as interested in him anymore.

Liar.

The truth was, her "love" had ended almost as soon as it began. At first she hadn't thought she minded that Luka stayed behind when the Dementors attacked, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized how much it had bothered her. Logically, she knew that it wasn't fair to judge him for not running after her into soul-sucking danger… but she did. Eva, Albus and Cassie had all taken up arms, but not Luka.

Hell, even Malfoy did.

That was another thing that was bothering her. While everyone else had been looking up at the Dark Mark glittering in the storm-wrecked sky, Rose's eyes had found Eva. Her friend must have been the only other person in Hogsmeade not focusing on the Dark Mark. Instead, Eva had been looking up at Scorpius with something in her eyes that made Rose wonder for the thousandth time if Eva was being honest about her feelings for the Slytherin. It hadn't been the look of doe-eyed adoration that Rose so frequently saw between Albus and Cassie, and Crystal and James, but it had been something.

Whatever it was, it's nothing she'll admit to. If she even knows what it is.

Eva had been her best friend since their first day on the train, and Rose wouldn't do anything to change the woman her friend was becoming, but sometimes Rose wondered how well Eva was really coping with what had happened to her. The death of her parents had done something that worried Rose more than the early displays of grief. While Eva had always been the more reserved one, she was almost untouchable now.

She doesn't let anyone in anymore.

It was true that Eva talked and joked much like always, but there was a filter between her and the world that Rose hadn't failed to notice. It was like nothing really touched her anymore. Rose had written to her mother about it earlier in the year, and Hermione had said that Eva was probably just trying to protect herself, and to give her time. Rose wasn't good at giving people time, but after talking to Albus she had agreed to leave it alone.

But what if something is going on between her and Scorpiss?

There was no way Rose trusted Malfoy with Eva. He was traitorous scum who couldn't even acknowledge Eva in public, and his girlfriend had actually attacked her in the bathroom.

"Slimy git," Rose mumbled into the pillow.

"What?" Luka asked, pulling her close to him.

Rose supressed the urge to wiggle out of his arms, "Nothing. Just talking to myself."

Luke kissed her hair, "Okay."

He pushed himself into a seated position and stretched.

Rose couldn't deny that he was a good-looking guy. His straw blonde hair and blue eyes were absolutely marvelous together, his full lips were down right kissable, and yet she found the whole combination a little bit boring. Quidditch had made him muscular, and he was already quite solidly built, with thick arms and a broad chest. He had a little paunch around his abdomen, but otherwise he was quite remarkable. His pecks certainly belonged on the cover of Quidditch Today.

Is there such thing as too perfect?

Regardless of his physical beauty, she didn't feel the same way anymore. She still got aroused when they kissed, but she didn't look forward to spending time with him.

It's because I don't respect him.

And there it was. The absolute truth. She had lost all respect for him the moment he had elected to stay behind in the Dragon Roost.

Rose sighed and sat up, "I've got to get back to the common room, I told Eva I'd look over her Charms essay."

There, that's not really a lie.

Luka nodded, "Sure thing, Rose. We should probably vacate the dorm anyways… The guys are probably starting to lose patience."

Rose smiled and gave him a brief kiss on the lips.

He pulled on his clothes, "Oh, and I know we're already together and everything but…" he transfigured a quill on his bedside table into a thornless, pink rose, "Will you be my date to the Winter Ball?"

Rose took the flower and ran her fingers along the smooth stem. It seemed stupid to break up with Luka without really trying to work things out.

"Of course."

O

Eva waited for Albus in the dungeons, outside the Potions classroom. He was a few paces behind the rest of the Slytherins in leaving, so Eva got to watch the entire Slytherin sixth year go past before she got a glimpse of her friend. Eva couldn't help but notice Scorpius walking hand-in-hand with Marie as he left the class. If he noticed her he didn't show it.

"Albus," Eva said, tapping her friend on the shoulder.

Albus smiled, "Hey Ev, what are you doing here?"

Eva fell in beside her friend, "Looking for you. Cassie came to see me in the library today."

"Oh?" Albus looked at her, confused.

It was always better to come straight out with things than to beat around the bush. Especially with Al.

"She thinks you aren't as in to her anymore because you won't ask her to the Ball."

Albus groaned and ruffled his chaotic hair, "Bloody Merlin."

"Why aren't you asking her?"

Albus looked a bit uncomfortable and drifted to a stop, "Well… Because you and I always go together."

Eva stared at him, momentarily stunned.

"Rose always finds herself a date, and so we've always just gone together," Albus finished, scuffing the sole of his shoe on the floor.

Eva felt a surge of affection for her friend, "And now you're found yourself a date, Al. Go with her. You don't need to worry so much about my feelings."

Al looked at her, "I'll always think about your feelings, Ev. I love Cassie, but you've been there for me a lot longer than she has."

"Go with Cassie, Al. I don't mind, really."

He nodded, "You'll still go?"

Eva sighed, "Honestly, I wasn't planning on it. I don't even have a dress."

Albus frowned, "That doesn't matter. Please come. I swear you won't be third wheeling or anything. Rose will want you to be there too."

"I'll think about it. Now please go talk to your girlfriend, okay? She thinks you're not asking her because you guys had sex and it made you weird."

Albus flushed, "Erm. She told you about that?"

Eva smirked, "Mhhm. I notice that you didn't."

"Just because Rose likes to tell us about her sexual encounters doesn't mean I do. Plus, I didn't want Cassie to feel like I was shouting it about with my mates."

Eva smiled, "You're really and amazing guy, Al. She's lucky to have you."

Albus rolled his eyes, "Yeah well, can you image what mum would do to me if I shagged around and bragged about it?"

Eva winced, "Point taken."

Al put his arm around her, "You could find a date too y'know. I'm sure plenty of guys would be down to go with you."

I'm pretty sure it would be frowned upon if the guy I wanted attended the dance.

"I'm not looking for a guy, Al."

Albus sighed, "Yeah, I know. Do you mind me asking why? Is there a muggle guy?

Eva shook her head. It was true that she had had dated a few muggle boys between school semesters, though she had never actually initiated any of the short-lived relationships. She always spent her summers working, so she often ended up in casual would-be romances with co-workers that she ended before heading back to school. She hadn't really felt strongly about any of them, but it had been a way of distracting herself. Plus, it seemed pointless to say no when she didn't really care either way.

"No, not since before fifth year."

Al nodded, "Right. What was his name again?"

"Simon," Eva replied.

She had actually liked Simon quite a bit, though after her mother had died she supposed that she had sort of dropped off the face of the earth. Not that she had been easy to contact in the first place. She didn't even own a cellphone.

"He seemed pretty cool," Albus offered.

"Um, yeah."

Albus had actually met Simon, and the two boys had gotten along remarkably well.

"He reminded me a bit of James."

Eva supressed a groan, "Yeah. I guess there was a bit of a similarity."

"Do you still like him? James I mean, not Simon."

Eva gagged, completely thrown, "What?!"

Albus looked at her, "Don't worry, I don't think he knows."

Nobody should know. First Scorpius, now you.

Eva felt like her face had caught fire, "How do you know?"

"I've known you for six years, Eva. Plus, I sort of guessed after every guy you dated looked like him."

Wow, am I seriously that pathetic?

As if he could read her mind Albus continued, "You don't be embarrassed, Ev. Not around me."

"I'm pretty sure anyone in my position with an ounce of self-respect would be embarrassed, Al."

"I had actually thought you were over it."

Eva chewed the inside of her lip, "I think I sort of am. Maybe. I don't know. I've liked him for so long that I think I always just go back to him. Even though I know he doesn't feel the same way."

Albus nodded, "Yeah, I can see that. But," he paused, "do you think that's maybe why you like him?"

Eva stared at him, confused.

"I just mean… Do you think you'd still like him if he liked you?"

Eva frowned, "Isn't that the point of liking someone? Wanting to be with them?"

Albus shrugged, "I guess. It's just… I don't see you two together. And I don't just say that because he doesn't have feelings for you."

Albus took a seat on one of the stone benches in the corridor and Eva dropped down beside him.

"Don't get me wrong, I love him. He's an amazing guy, and he'll make someone really happy. I just can't see him making you happy."

Eva's brow furrowed, "Why not?"

Al leaned back into the wall with a sigh, "Because I don't think you two speak the same language. He wants everything right now with a joke and a smile. He's got a temper, and he wears everything on his sleeve. You're quiet, keeping everything on the inside until you know where you stand. He changes his mood like spring time, and you're the lake in the dead of winter. I think you like him because he's good to you, and you don't have to give him part of you in return. He only sees what's on the outside, and that's the way you like it. He's there when you want him to be, but I don't think he could ever open you up and pull you out the way you're going to need. I think you like him because he can't make you feel anything you can't control. With him, you what to expect." He ran his fingers through his hair and stood up, "Just think about it okay?"

Eva frowned as Albus walked away, not knowing what else to say. She wanted to be angry with him for making such grand assumptions, but part of her recognized that there was some truth to what he had said. She just didn't know how much.

"He's right you know."

Eva whirled around to see Scorpius leaning behind a pillar, his pale hair brushed back from his face.

"It's rude to eavesdrop," she snapped, knowing her cheeks were red with embarrassment. They hadn't talked since the Dementor attack on Hogsmeade and, if she was being honest, it was because she was avoiding him.

He shrugged casually, "I forgot something. I didn't intend to overhear."

"That clearly didn't stop you from listening."

He met her gaze steadily, "No, it didn't. I was curious to see what would happen when someone finally called you out."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

He tilted his head, "James has always just been an excuse."

Eva bristled, anger beginning to replace embarrassment, "Who the hell do you think you are, Sc-Malfoy? You can't just drop down into my life whenever the fuck you want and act like you know me."

He closed the distance between them in three long strides, "I do know you."

Eva hated herself for stepping backwards, but she desperately needed to put more distance between her and the grey storm in his eyes.

He moved closer, "And you know me." A little smirk played at the corners of his mouth, "That's why you can't stay mad."

Eva stepped forward and slammed her palms into his chest, pushing him backwards.

"You arrogant git. I am mad at you. You think you can just stand there and watch someone torture me, and then make it up by transfiguring a car? That I'm going to roll over and act like everything is okay?"

He looked down at her hands, and Eva was suddenly incredibly conscious of his heartbeat tickling her palm.

It was quite fast.

She let her hands drop, not knowing why she had allowed them to linger in the first place.

"I'm pretty sure I did more than transfigure a car, Eva."

She narrowed her eyes, remembering the silver wolf that had guarded them, "I told you I didn't want you in my life anymore. Just because I put that aside to save the people I actually care about, doesn't mean I forgave you."

Actually care about?

She pushed back a surge of guilt at the small twinge of hurt that appeared in the form of pursed lips.

"Look at me and tell me you really want me out of your life," His eyes glinted, challenging her.

Eva dug her nails into her palm. Stubbornness decreed that she faced him and told him just that… And yet, she couldn't form the words. She felt her shoulders slump a little in defeat.

Why can't I lie to you?

"You hurt me," her voice was rawer than she had intended, but she pushed through, "Scorpius, I've never asked you for anything more than what you could give, what you wanted to give. I think I was a good friend to you, wasn't I?" She looked up into his eyes, "But you let me down this time. I expected more from you, and I think I needed more from you. So no, I don't want the Scorpius I grew up with out of my life, but I do want you out of my life. Because he wouldn't have done to me what you did. He would have protected me, just like I would have protected him."

Scorpius let out a deep breath, and when he looked at her, she saw something she couldn't quite name.

"I don't know what to do, Ev."

She blinked in confusion, "What do you mean? It's not like you were forced into this, Scor. You chose this, you chose them."

He flexed his hands, "No, it's more… complicated than that."

Eva took a deep breath and looked straight at him, "I gave you a chance once before to tell me what was going on, and you chose not to. Don't make the same mistake again, because I won't give you another chance."

He closed his eyes briefly, before brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "This is bigger than you think, Ev."

Once again she was surprised by how gentle he was.

"If I tell you, there's no going back."

She reached up and took his hand between both of hers, "I won't want to go back."

He turned and led her backwards into the now empty Potions classroom. She watched as he shut the door and cast a charm to prevent eavesdropping and then turned to face her, his face like stone.

How big could this be?

Her heart was pounding against her ribcage hard enough that she wondered if it would leave a bruise.

"You have to promise me that what I tell you doesn't leave this room. Ever."

She hesitated, thinking of Al and Rose.

As if reading her mind Scorpius added, "People could die, Eva. I need you to trust me."

I do. Maybe I shouldn't, but I still do.

"I promise."

He nodded and wet his bottom lip with a quick flick of his tongue, "Do you remember the first day the Dark Mark was seen again? When I ran into Rose on the steps to the Owlry?"

Eva nodded.

"Do you remember what she said to me?"

Eva dragged herself back to that stairway, remembering the hurtful words Rose had hurled at him about his parents, and what Scorpius had screamed back.

"She asked if you were going to join up like your father."

He nodded, "Exactly. She wasn't the only one to ask either. Everyone looked at me differently, and yet I knew that my father was in more danger than almost anyone else. He betrayed people, bad people." He sat down on a vacant desk, "Rose reminded me of the sacrifice my dad made to make sure I had a better shot at happiness than he had, and in doing that he made himself a lot of enemies. If the Death Eaters were back, my father was in danger."

Eva could feel the pieces falling together.

"So I had to find a way in, a way to restore my family's name in those circles, to make sure my parents weren't punished for doing the right thing."

"Marie," Eva whispered.

"I knew she liked me, and that her family was still wrapped up deep in the Dark Arts. Her mother's family was very loyal to Voldemort, and her father's allegiance wasn't hard won. I knew that if something was rising, her family would be in the thick of it. Her bother Regan is as toxic as the worst of them, and she worships him."

"So you got in with her."

Scorpius nodded, "I used her to get accepted into their inner circle, and did my best to shield my parents by going along with their pure-blood, muggle-hating mantra. I've been with them all long enough that I'm starting to get real information, Ev. Information that could hurt them."

Eva could feel her blood pounding through her veins, "Do you know who the leader is?"

He shook his head, "No. And neither does anyone else I talk to. Whoever it is, they're well hidden. The network is pretty extensive, with everyone reporting up." His eyes flickered dangerously, "But with time I could know who is running it."

She felt a little spasm of worry in her chest, "But what if they find out?"

"They won't. My parents are both incredibly adept at Occlumency, and they've been teaching me for years. No one can get in my head without me letting them." He looked at her, "We're going to have to find a way for me to teach you though."

"Who knows the truth?"

"My parents. And now you."

Eva bit the inside of her lip, realizing just how much he was giving her.

She took a deep breath, "What can I do?"

He narrowed his eyes, "What?"

Eva could feel excitement building in her stomach as an idea flashed into her mind, "You said you might be able to get information, information that could help bring them down."

He nodded slowly.

"So who are you reporting to?" she asked.

He blinked, "No one. I told you, no one knows but you and my parents. I haven't figured out how to connect with the Order without endangering my family."

"So use me."

He opened his mouth, clearly ready to object.

She held up her hand to silence him, "Think about it. If we do it right, no one would need to know I have any connections inside. We could make all your information seem like visions. Everyone thinks I'm a Seer, and who knows, maybe I am, but this way there wouldn't be as much cause for the Death Eaters to suspect a mole."

"No," he stood up, "it's too dangerous, Eva. They'll kill you if they find out." He ran his hands through his hair, looking frustrated, "This is not why I told you."

This time it was Eva who closed the distance between them, "They want to kill us all anyway, Scorpius. Let me help you. Let me help you fight back."