Chapter Twenty Nine

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday, dear Evangeline and James,

Happy Birthday to you!

'I can't believe I have to go to class on my birthday,' Evangeline complained as she slumped down beside Izzy in Herbology. 'Like how utterly gay is that!' she said as she reached inside her bag, grabbed her textbook and dropped it onto the table.

Izzy flinched as the rather large book slammed against the desk. 'Immensely,' she said with a small sigh. She glanced at Evangeline who was sullenly resting her head on her elbow. 'It's not that bad, we only have four classes today. This, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination and Transfiguration – Ha! That rhymes!' she said excitedly, a broad grin etched across her face.

'Miss Lawson, is there something you would like to share?' Professor Sprout glanced in Izzy and Evangeline's direction. She stood at the front of the class, beginning a demonstration on how to de-pod Perilous Peasprouts.

Izzy gave a feeble smile and a small chuckle, 'No, Professor.'

'Then pay attention. This is one of the most likely plants to be on your examination in June,' Professor Sprout said sternly. 'And trust me, you need all the help you can get,' she said and continued with her demonstration and began talking about the dangers of the plant.

Izzy sank back in her chair, defeated. 'She hates me,' she said bluntly. Evangeline glanced confusedly at her. 'Ever since I interrupted the class by saying that I prefer stubble rather than a clean shave, she's given me lower marks in all the essays I've handed in!' Izzy said, glancing irritatedly at Professor Sprout.

'No she hasn't. She's always given you C's and D's,' Evangeline said simply.

Izzy glanced sideways at Evangeline who had small smirk on her face. 'No she hasn't … I-I … I got a B once,' Izzy replied stubbornly, folding her arms. Evangeline couldn't help but smile. Herbology wasn't exactly Izzy's strong subject. Izzy sighed, 'I hate Herbology,' she said and rested her head in her hands.

'No you don't. You just hate that you can't do Herbology,' Evangeline replied helpfully. 'I've already told you that when it gets closer to the exams I'll go over stuff that you don't understand.' Izzy smiled gratefully at Evangeline. She shrugged, 'That's what friends are for. And anyway, even Remy could help you if you're really stuck.'

Izzy's eyes brightened, 'That's a great idea!' she said a little too loudly. Professor Sprout glared in her direction. Izzy glanced down and avoided eye contact with her. She glanced sideways at Evangeline, 'That's a great idea!' she said in an excited whisper.

Evangeline rolled her eyes. 'Actually, forget I even suggested that. You wouldn't learn a thing!' she said quietly so that Professor Sprout couldn't hear her. 'You would probably end up snogging the faces of each other,' she wrinkled her nose at the thought.

'You and Sirius are just as bad!' Izzy retorted

'No we're not! We don't start snogging in public like you do. I walked in on you pair at it in the library!' Evangeline said with a cheeky smirk. 'And anyway, Sirius and I are more discreet about it.'

Izzy snorted, 'The only reason you don't snog in the library is because you're never in there!' she said. 'And, sorry. Discreet? If what you mean by discreet is feeling each other up every time you're near each other, then clearly you don't know the proper meaning of it.'

Evangeline gaped at Izzy. 'We don't feel each other up every time we're near each other …' a small smile glazed over her face, 'We're merely showing our affection,' she said in a posh voice. 'And like I said, we don't snog in public.'

'Well, what about the time you two were all over each other in History of Magic last week!' Izzy said, incredulously. Evangeline pouted. 'And in the middle of the Great Hall after breakfast two days ago. And – oh, hang on – I certainly remember the pair of you at it yesterday out by the lake!' Evangeline didn't respond, but a smile was plastered across her face. 'Just admit it, Evangeline April Potter, you and Sirius are definitely not discreet. You're a hypocrite too!' Izzy said, poking Evangeline in the ribs. 'Hypocrite, hypocrite, hypocrite, hypocrite – '

'Okay! Fine. I'll admit it, I'm a hypocrite,' Evangeline said, rubbing her side. 'And stop poking me. I get enough of that from my idiot boyfriend.'

'You don't mean that though, do you?' Izzy asked her confusedly.

'Of course not, I call him an idiot all the time,' Evangeline said with a shrug. 'It doesn't mean I love him any less. In fact him being an idiot is kinda fun.'

'You know what's surprised me the most since you got together though?' Izzy said. Evangeline furrowed her eyebrows. 'The fact that none of his fan-girls have attacked you yet. Now, don't get me wrong, you are definitely female enemy number one and I hear them whispering rumours about you all the time – '

'What rumours?!' Evangeline said exasperatedly.

Izzy smiled weakly, 'Are you sure you want to know some of them?' she said.

Evangeline grimaced, 'Not really. It is my birthday and I don't really want to have to wring someone's neck because they spread a horrible rumours about me,' she said, glaring obtrusively in Cerys Neill's direction.

'Oh it wasn't just her,' Izzy said simply, glancing around at the blonde Ravenclaw and then turning back to face the front again.

'What?' Evangeline asked, she wasn't quite sure whether of not she had heard Izzy correctly or not. I sounded as though she was saying that Cerys Neill hadn't spread all the rumours. Evangeline thought that to be quite unlikely of course.

'I was astonished when I heard who the worst rumour had come from,' Izzy said, keeping her eyes to the front.

The suspense was killing Evangeline, she grabbed Izzy's robes and pulled her so that she was facing her. 'Who was it?!' she asked loudly.

'W – '

'MISS LAWSON, 'Professor Sprout glanced angrily at Izzy. Izzy jumped and spun around in her seat. Sprout turned to face Evangeline. MISS POTTER! I HAVE HAD TO LISTEN TO BOTH OF YOU BLITHERING AWAY OVER MY LESSON. IF YOU DO NOT SHUT UP, I WILL THROW THE PAIR OF YOU OUT!' Sprout glanced irritatedly between the two Gryffindors who were sitting, stunned in their seats. 'Do I make myself clear?' Professor Sprout hissed.

'Yes, Professor,' Evangeline and Izzy said simultaneously.

'Good, now ….' Professor Sprout continued to talk about the uses of the Perilous Peasprout.

Evangeline and Izzy glanced at each other, a broad grin etched across each of their faces. They had been the burden of Professor Sprout's class all year round. Continuously chattering and giggling like school girls. It had not been the first time that they had been yelled at for talking through a lesson. In fact, they received detentions only two weeks ago for talking and laughing loudly, interrupting the class and accidentally insulting their Professor. Accidental or not, Evangeline got sent to Professor McGonagall for affronting a teacher. For this she lost twenty points for Gryffindor and got to spend an extra evening in the Trophy Room polishing cups.

Evangeline, determine not to receive a detention on her birthday, quietened down and watched as Professor Sprout drew a diagram on the blackboard. She was paying perfect attention until something fluttered past her shoulder. She glanced around, trying to see where it had landed. It was sitting in front of her, on top of her textbook, a scrunched up piece of parchment. She picked it up before someone noticed, unfolded it and began to read it;

Dragon dung covered frumpy old hag =P

Don't suppose you remember that, do you?

Your amazing boyfriend, Mr Padfoot x

Evangeline shook her head at Sirius' cockiness. She glanced up to see Professor Sprout still writing on the board. Quickly, she turned around to face James and Sirius who were sitting at the very back. 'Yes. I do remember that, Sirius,' she whispered. Sirius bit his lip, Evangeline furrowed her eyes in confusion at his expression.

'MISS POTTER!'

_-_-_

'I thought you said you were trying not to get a detention on your birthday,' Remus said as they walked to their Care of Magical Creatures classroom. They had it three times a week, twice indoors and one practical lesson outdoors. Today, unfortunately for Evangeline and James, their lesson was indoors.

'I was trying! I nearly got past Sprout's class without getting one, but I stumbled at the last hurdle,' Evangeline said, glaring down at the detention slip in her hand. 'At least she set it for next week, not tonight. Even if she had I wouldn't have went. No one stops me going to my party,' she said.

'Our party, actually,' James said as he and Sirius caught up on her, Izzy and Remus.

'Sorry. Our party,' Evangeline said, rolling her eyes. She suddenly became very anxious, the expression on her face was inevitable. Sirius smiled reassuringly, laced his fingers through hers and squeezed her hand in an attempt to restore her confidence. 'Any sign of her yet, James?' she asked, turning to her brother.

'Nope, me and Padfoot checked the map just there now. Nothing,' James said, shaking his head.

Evangeline sighed with relief, but she knew that her mother was close by. It was almost as if she was right beside her. 'Are you sure? Check it again, maybe you missed her,' she said nervously.

'Sis, what did I say after I forgave you?' James asked her. Evangeline glanced at him apologetically. 'I told you that I would check it every half an hour. And I have been doing that. I don't know why mum's coming to see us. I know something's up, but you've gotta trust me, okay?' he said, resting his hand on Evangeline's shoulder.

'Sorry, James. I just – I guess I'm a bit paranoid,' Evangeline said.

'Trust me, Furball. You're not the only one,' James said, an impudent smile teasing the corners of his mouth.

Evangeline cuffed him gently on the back of the head. 'What did I say about calling me Furball?' she said warningly.

Izzy glanced back, looking confusedly between the two of them. 'Furball?' she asked them inquisitively. Evangeline and James glanced cautiously at each other. Maybe it was best to not start calling Evangeline her nickname, Izzy had already found something suspicious about it. Izzy raised her eyebrow, awaiting an explanation. But it never came. 'I swear. You two are getting crazier by the day,' she said and made her way into the classroom.

Remus snorted. 'Pfft. Crazy? You have no idea,' he said and followed his girlfriend.

'Shut up, Moonboy,' Evangeline called after him.

Surprisingly, Professor Grubbly-Plank appeared in the door. Her face like thunder, she barked, 'I do not appreciate name-calling, Miss Potter.' She pointed into the classroom, gesturing for them to go in and sit down. 'And you wouldn't mind explaining why I still have an essay to receive from you?' she asked coldly as Evangeline sat down on her usual seat beside Lily.

Evangeline groaned inwardly and rolled her eyes. 'I felt that I knew what the essay was asking me to do and didn't see any point in completing it. It was basically just a waste of my time and probably a waste of your time too,' she said, informatively.

Professor Grubbly-Plank's eyes widened ferociously, her nostrils flared. 'So you're telling me, Miss Potter, that the work I set is a waste of time?' she asked, her voice dangerously low.

'No, Professor. It's not. I just didn't feel the need to do it that particular essay,' Evangeline said, shrugging slightly and sighing at her Professor unwillingness to cooperate. Maybe if the old bat would actually consider asking me the question that the essay was on she might see that I do know it rather than jumping down my throat for not bothering to write it down, Evangeline said to herself.

Professor Grubbly-Plank sighed heavily. 'Well as you do not seem capable of completing the essay in your own time, you will be completing it in detention. Tomorrow night, seven o'clock, here,' she said, wandering over to her desk.

Evangeline gaped at her. 'But – '

Lily tugged her sleeve and glanced at her warningly. 'Don't Evie. You'll get yourself into more trouble,' she said, but Evangeline ignored her.

'But Professor … It's my birthday today!' she complained, throwing her hands in the air in disgust.

'Your birthday or not. You will be attending detention,' Grubbly-Plank said, striding towards the board, glancing fervently towards Evangeline as she walked past. 'Now, today we shall be revising over Bowtruckles …' she began and wrote the word on the board.

For the next half an hour, Evangeline sat, bored stiff with her head resting on her hand staring blankly at the front of the class. Professor Grubbly-Plank had been droning on about how Bowtruckles guarded wandtrees and what they ate. Absent-mindedly Evangeline yawned loudly and scratched her head as their Professor wrote down key words on the board. Professor Grubbly-Plank turned around and glanced in Evangeline's direction. 'Tell me, Miss Potter. Why is it that you find this class … tiring?' she asked venomously.

'Revising is always boring, Professor. Not just in your class, every class,' Evangeline said bluntly, not removing her head from her hand. There came a snigger from behind her, clearly James and Sirius had found her statement amusing. 'And before you ask me, I had no other option but to try and pay attention to what you were saying because I had nothing else to do.' That of course, being a lie.

Professor Grubbly-Plank narrowed her eyes. 'Really? Then tell me. If you were listening. What do Bowtruckles feed on?' she asked and stared back at Evangeline awaiting an answer. She folded her arms and tapped her foot impatiently.

Evangeline sighed. 'They feed on woodlice and fairy eggs if they can get their hands on them. It is wise to take a couple of woodlice with you to distract the Bowtruckles if you wish to collect leaves or twigs from a tree in which they live in. Either that or risk getting your eyes gauged out by their pointy fingers,' she answered the question dully and glanced up at her Professor. Evangeline had a good memory, no doubt about it. Those were the exact words from her essay a couple of months back.

'Very good. You have been listening,' Grubbly-Plank stated, turning back to face the board and beginning to write once more.

Evangeline gaped at her. 'What? Don't I get five points or anything?!' she whined.

'Don't push it,' Professor Grubbly-Plank snapped.

Evangeline glared in her direction. 'Oh I really dislike that woman,' she growled and crossed her arms, thumping them loudly on the table as she leant on them. Once again, Professor Grubby-Plank's voice dragged on in her usual monotone that would put anyone to sleep. Evangeline set her head down on her crossed arms in front of her and closed her eyes. She wasn't sleepy, but the fact that the room was warm and stuffy had made her feel drowsy.

'Evie!' someone whispered. Probably Lily trying to get her attention. Evangeline ignored it and kept her head down and eyes closed. She was enjoying this peaceful slumber.

'Evangeline!' someone poked her in the back with their wand. 'Evangeline! Wake up!' they repeatedly poked her in the back.

Evangeline lifted her head and glanced around, her eyes still half closed. 'What?' she hissed at her brother. 'I was actually enjoying myself, James. Why'd you go and ruin it?' she grumbled and rubbed her eyes.

'Mum's at the door,' James said, biting his lip.

Evangeline's eyes widened. 'WHAT?!' she shouted loudly. She glanced around, and just as James had said, Professor Grubbly-Plank was talking to someone at the door.

Grubbly-Plank glanced around at Evangeline sitting up straight in her seat a frightened look on her face. 'Of course, no problem whatsoever,' the Professor said turning back to Evangeline's mum. Grubbly-Plank turned around once more, 'Miss Potter, you have a visitor,' she said, gesturing for Evangeline to come to the door. Evangeline glanced around confusedly at James and mouthed, 'What about you?' James shrugged, there was concern in his expression.

'D-Do I have to go?' Evangeline turned around and asked Professor Grubbly-Plank conservatively. 'You see I'd much rather stay here, Professor. I have my OWL's in two months.'

'Miss Potter, I appreciate how much you are willing to do for your OWL's but your visitor is waiting,' Professor Grubbly-Plank said impatiently, walking towards her. 'Now bring your belongings as well,' she said, waving her hands gesturing for Evangeline to get out of her seat.

Evangeline cautiously got out of her seat but furrowed her eyebrows. 'Why do I need to take my stuff? Sure I'll be back,' she said, walking towards the door.

'Oh no, no, no, Miss Potter. You will not be back, I'm afraid, 'Professor Grubbly-Plank said, picking up Evangeline's bag and taking it to her. Something was going on, something Evangeline didn't like the sound of.

'You seem to have misunderstood me, Professor. I was telling you I will be back,' Evangeline said, striding towards the door. She pulled open the door and unsurprisingly enough, standing on the other side was her mother. Evangeline glared at her, 'What the hell are you doing here?' she spat and closed the door behind her.

Her mother looked around at Evangeline's body, 'Where are your things?' she asked before glancing back up to meet eye contact with Evangeline. 'I thought I told your Professor to tell you to bring your belongings,' she said, her expression appeared innocent. Evangeline wasn't falling for it.

'Why are you here? Come to take me away, have you?' Evangeline hissed, her hand clutching her wand in her pocket. 'Well guess what? I'm not bloody well going anywhere.'

'I'm afraid you are, Evangeline. I've contacted the Headmistress of Beauxbatons and they are willing to take you,' Her mother stated. Her face was blank. She showed no emotion. 'I thought it would be best to remove you from here before – '

'You can't do that!' Evangeline yelled angrily. 'You can't just take me from here. This is my home,' she shouted passionately. She sighed heavily, 'The only place that makes me feel welcome,' she growled. 'What did Dad have to say about this?'

'I'm afraid I haven't spoke to – '

'WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!' Evangeline roared, pulling her wand out of her pocket and holding it threateningly at her mother's throat. Her mother didn't answer. Evangeline calmed herself down and shook her head. 'You are an evil, selfish, dictatorial, old hag. I hope you rot in hell,' Evangeline snarled and took her wand away from her mother's throat. She walked away from her mother and opened the door.

'You can't hide from me, Evangeline,' Her mother called after her warningly.

'You're right. I'll just avoid you,' Evangeline said not looking back. People from her class where watching with interest. 'Oh, and by the way. Dad's better off without you. Wanna know why? Because you're a controlling bitch,' she said calmly, walked through the door and closed it behind her. The majority of her class where watching her with wide eyes and shocked expressions. The minority where enjoying it; the Slytherins.

'HOW DARE YOU?!' Her mother screeched and burst through the door, her wand drawn. 'HOW DARE YOU STAND THERE SPEAKING ABOUT ME LIKE THAT WHEN I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT I COULD FOR YOUR BEST INTERESTS!' she screamed, the people in the front row flinched and sat back in their chairs.

Evangeline laughed sarcastically and tuned to face her mother, 'My best interests? I don't think so. You did everything to suit yourself,' she said angrily. 'Now if you would excuse me, you're interrupting my class,' she said before receiving a slap across the face. Evangeline gaped furiously at her mother who seemed shocked by her own actions. She reached up her hand to her cheek. 'Get out,' Evangeline said fiercely.

'I'm not going anywhere,' Her mother said, taking her own wand out. 'You are going to Beauxbatons where you belong!' she shouted, grabbing Evangeline's wrist.

'I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!' Evangeline bellowed, thrusting her arm from her mother's grip. She grabbed her wand from her pocket and held it up threateningly at her mother's face. 'Get out before I make you,' she said, not caring what anyone else would think if she cursed her own mother.

Her mother shook her head carelessly, a smirk appeared on her face. 'Go on. Curse your own mum,' she taunted. 'I know for a fact you won't be able to do it.'

'You must have underestimated me,' Evangeline snarled and raised her wand.

'IMPEDIM –'

'STUPI – '

'NOOO!'

'EXPELLIARMUS!' Two voices yelled, Evangeline's wand flew out of her hand towards the door where Professor Dumbledore stood, wielding his own wand. Evangeline glanced towards her mother, her own wand had disappeared. She followed her mother's gaze, she turned around and stood with two wands in his hands; was James.

'Sorry to interrupt, Professor Grubby-Plank,' Dumbledore began, his expression was cold as he glanced towards Evangeline's mother. 'Could I borrow Mrs Potter, Evangeline and James, please?'

Professor Grubby-Plank stood behind her desk. It was clear that she was a bit shaken from the incident. But still, Evangeline was annoyed with her for not at least trying to stop her mother from attacking her. 'Of course, P-Professor Dumbledore,' She said sheepishly, her voice quivered slightly.

Evangeline reluctantly followed her mother out of the classroom. She waited in the doorway for James as he made his way out of the classroom after her. She smiled gratefully as he approached her. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. 'Thank you so much, James,' she said in a whisper.

'S'okay, sis,' James replied. 'I couldn't let her stun you. Not my little sister,' he said, pulling away from her and putting his arm around her shoulder.

They followed Professor Dumbledore to his office. Their mother walking cautiously in front of them, she glanced around occasionally. Evangeline could feel James' grip tightening on her as she did. My overprotective big brother, Evangeline said to herself, shaking her head slightly. Eventually they reached Dumbledore's office.

'Cockroach Clusters,' Professor Dumbledore said and the gargoyle jumped aside, the stone wall behind split open and he began to ascend the spiral stairs. Their mother followed briefly behind him, followed by James and Evangeline. Dumbledore opened the large polished door and walked through, leaving the door open for his visitors.

'Surprisingly this is the first time I've been up here,' Evangeline said, glancing around taking in her surroundings as they entered his office. James glanced at her, his eyebrow raised. 'I know it is surprising, isn't it?'

James laughed, 'That wasn't what I meant. This is serious and you come out with never being up here before,' he said, closing the door behind him.

'Sorry, Evangeline, James, you wouldn't mind stepping outside for a moment. I wish to speak to your mother in private first,' Professor Dumbledore said, walking towards them.

'Of course not, Professor,' Evangeline said. James shrugged and nodded slightly.

'Thank you, I shall not keep you long,' Professor Dumbledore said, walking towards the door with them. He opened the door and waited for them to evacuate themselves. 'Now, I'm afraid that listening at the door won't help you at all in this case,' Dumbledore said with a wink before closing the door behind them.

Evangeline and James sat themselves down on the stairs outside the door. They sat in silence, hoping that they could hear what Dumbledore was saying. But like he had said, it was useless. It was an awkward silence. Evangeline wished only for Dumbledore to hurry up, the unenviable position they were in was crushing. She wanted so much to say something to her brother, but couldn't think of anything to say. If she knew what she wanted to say she was worried that she could not bring herself to speak to him anyway. Not that she was afraid of what his reaction might be. She wasn't afraid of him, she was afraid of what might happen to them. Thoughts ran through her head, filling it with possibilities of what Dumbledore's conclusion might be. Would he make them go back to spend the summer at their own house with their clearly deranged mother? Or would he suggest that they go and stay with their father … wherever he was. Evangeline sighed and leant against the black stone wall.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Evangeline glanced up and standing in the doorway was Professor Dumbledore, smiling down at them. 'We are ready for you now,' he said, opening the door wide.

Evangeline and James got to their feet and walked past Dumbledore who closed the door behind them. 'Take a seat, take a seat,' Professor Dumbledore said walking past them and gesturing to the two seats beside the one their mother sat in. Evangeline took the chance and sat in the one furthest away from her, leaving James to sit beside her.

'Now,' Professor Dumbledore said as he sat down behind the large mahogany desk, 'We have obstacles to get around. It seems that your mother – and yes she has agreed – wrongly took matters into her own hands and decided that you should be removed from the school,' he said, looking at Evangeline. 'Is that true?'

'Yes,' Evangeline said bluntly. 'She has been threatening it since before Christmas. Father disagreed with it, he sent me a letter telling me not to reply to any of her letters and to contact him if anything happened. He said that I should go straight to you if anything went … wrong. I sent him back a letter he replied saying that he had an argument with her,' she glanced at her mother.

'Is this true, Mrs Potter?'

'Her father and I had an argument over her best interests - ' Evangeline snorted disdainfully, '- He left and I haven't spoken to him since. I don't know where he is,' Their mother said. Evangeline shook her head in disbelief.

'You have no need to worry, Evangeline. Your father is staying with friends of his,' Professor Dumbledore informed them. 'He contacted me saying that your mother had left the house, her bags where gone and he told me her previous intentions. He also told me that friends of his had let him stay at their house.' Evangeline sighed in relief. Her father was not young, all this stress was not at all good for him.

'Now, other matters have arisen in which we must discuss,' Professor Dumbledore said, clasping his hands together and setting them on the desk. 'Where you two wish to stay over the summer. There is also Mr Sirius Black to consider. Your mother has agreed to let you stay at Potter Mansion, you can – '

'There's no way in hell I'm staying with her,' Evangeline growled.

'Fine, Evangeline. It is your choice. I shall not force you to do what you do not want to do,' Professor Dumbledore said calmly, he glanced at James. 'What is your decision, James?'

'I'll go where Evie goes,' James said, glancing at Evangeline. She smiled back. 'I guess Sirius would obviously want to live with us too. He would never go back to his own place.'

'But Professor Dumbledore … Where will they go? You can't send them to live with Harold,' Their mother said, getting off her seat. 'He'd never be able to cope, he's old and he gets ill easily. I can't send my children to somewhere they aren't going to be looked after – '

'You never looked after me in the first place!' Evangeline spat, she too got off her seat. 'I will be going to stay with Dad, at least he cared about me! And if he gets ill, I will look after him,' she said, pointing her finger at herself.

'Don't be stupid, Evangeline. You can barely look after yourself,' Her mother said, clicking her tongue and rolling her eyes.

'I can look after myself better than you think,' Evangeline said, attempting to calm herself down by taking deep breaths. 'It didn't help with all the stress I've been under this year, most of it because of you!'

'Ladies, please,' Professor Dumbledore said, holding up his hands and waving them, gesturing for them to be seated once more. 'We must sort this out maturely. Your father has already spoken to me, he said that he is willing to buy a house of his own if you two want. He said that his own children could never be a burden for him and he hopes that you will decide to live with him.' Mrs Potter scowled and tutted. 'I am just passing on a message,' Professor Dumbledore said, glancing at her.

Evangeline chuckled at her mother's expression, 'I'm going to live with Dad, I hope James will too. Personally I couldn't live without him, but it's his decision,' she said, glancing at James.

'Don't be stupid, sis,' James said, 'I'd never leave you.'

_-_-_

'God. Some birthday I've had, 'Evangeline said as she jumped onto the sofa in the Common Room. It was ten o'clock, Evangeline and some of the Marauders had gathered down in the Common Room for James' and Evangeline's party. Two detentions, an argument with her mother and visiting Dumbledore's office isn't really a perfect plan for your birthday, is it? But unfortunately for Evangeline that was exactly what happened. 'You know, I think I might just forget about the party and go to bed,' Evangeline suggested.

James gaped at her, 'You will do no such thing,' he said, as he set down the tray of food he was carrying. 'Just get drunk and forget all about it,' he sniggered, nodding towards the crate of Firewhiskey that Sirius had just brought in.

'Sirius?' Evangeline asked him as he set the crate down beside her.

Sirius looked up, 'Yes, my Angel?'

'Where did you get all that Firewhiskey?' Evangeline asked him curiously. Sirius smiled and tapped his nose before bending down and taking a bottle out of the crate and handing it to her.

'Happy Birthday,' Sirius said cheerfully, twisting the cap of the bottle. A hiss escaped and he downed a large amount of it. Evangeline shook her head. 'What?' he asked her with a smirk on his face.

'The party hasn't even started yet,' Evangeline said, gesturing to the amount of people in the Common Room. Lily, Izzy and Remus had yet to appear. She rolled her eyes, 'You'll be off your head by midnight.' Evangeline glanced down at her own bottle. Oh what the hell, she thought to herself and twisted the cap.

'That's my girl,' Sirius said, sitting down beside her, kissing her gently on the cheek and putting his arm around her. Evangeline glanced at him before lifting the bottle to her mouth and taking a sip. 'There's plenty more you know,' Sirius said as she took the bottle away from her mouth.

'I know, but I want to be able to play the game later on tonight,' Evangeline said, holding the green tinted bottle carefully in her hand.

'What game?' Sirius asked, his eyebrow raised suspiciously.

'It's the 'I have never' game,' Evangeline told him. Sirius' blank expression told her that he had never heard of it. 'It's where everyone sits in a circle and we take it in turns to say something … like I have never ate food. And everyone who has ate food takes a shot of Firewhiskey,' she explained.

'Sounds fun,' Sirius said. 'I think I'll get drunk,' he added as he took another swig of Firewhiskey.

Evangeline snorted. 'Pfft. You don't say,' she said, playfully tipping his bottle up further as he drank from it. Sirius coughed and spluttered as the Firewhiskey made it's way down his throat at an alarming rate. 'Nice one. Not so cool now, are we?' Evangeline taunted him.

'You know what?' Sirius said earnestly, setting his bottle of Firewhiskey down on the coffee table. He took Evangeline's bottle and set it down beside his own. Evangeline surveyed his expression carefully. There was a certain mischievousness about it that she was suspicious of. Evangeline raised her eyebrow to which Sirius wiggled his eyebrows. He shoved her over and jumped on top of her. 'I think it's about time you stopped insulting me, Miss Potter!' he said and began to tickle her ferociously.

'Ah, no! Sirius – STOP!' Evangeline yelled between giggles. She shook with laughter and began to try and wriggle away from him. 'Hahaha – SIRIUS! STOP!'

'What? Did somebody hear something?' Sirius said, straddling Evangeline and avoiding eye contact with her. 'It sounded as though somebody was shouting for someone to stop!' he said and began tickling her again.

Remus, Lily and Izzy walked into the Common Room. Izzy was carrying a large chocolate cake, Lily some buns and biscuits and Remus had the invisibility cloak in his hands. Remus rolled his eyes at the sight that met them as they reached the small sitting area. 'Porn in the Common Room!' Remus shouted, causing Sirius to sit up and Evangeline to stop giggling.

'That was not funny, Moony,' Evangeline said, sounding unamused.

Izzy coughed. 'Hypocrite!' she said, pointing her finger at Evangeline who pouted at her.

'Hey guys. Great, more food.' James said when he walked into the Common Room and noticed the two other large trays of food. 'So is that everyone then?' he asked, glancing around.

'Guess so,' Evangeline said, looking around. All the people that mattered most to her were in the room, that was all that she cared about. It didn't matter whether or not the party was brilliant or the best birthday party ever, just the fact that she was spending it with her friends.

Sirius clapped his hands together loudly. 'GREAT! Let's eat,' he said, grabbing some food from the tray.

For about an hour the party was quite civilised. They had moved the coffee table out of the way so that they could sit in a circle beside the fire and eat. Sirius and James, of course ate the most, continually asking if they could go down to the kitchens to get some more. When the food was gone they ate the chocolate cake and conversed with each other. When the chocolate caked was demolished, all that was left was the Firewhiskey. Typically, Sirius had already finished his first bottle and was onto his second. Evangeline at one point had to prise the large bottle from his hands to stop him from drinking it so quickly. But he succeeded in scamming her by kissing her passionately and deeply until he had his arms wrapped around her, grabbing the bottle from behind her back, therefore retrieving it back again. Evangeline huffed and ignored him for about five minutes for taking advantage of her. But only until he set his Firewhiskey down and pulled her into a tight hug telling her that nothing in the world mattered more to him than she did.

Everyone had went relatively quiet, Evangeline noticed this and lifted her head from Sirius' chest. She hummed to herself. 'Guys?' she said, trying to gain everyone's attention. 'Do you wanna play like … a game now? It's called 'I Have Never'.'

Lily gasped, 'I've heard of that game!'

'Okay,' Evangeline said, sitting up straight. 'I'll explain it.' And so she did. It didn't take everyone long to get the gist of the game. 'Okay, everyone got it?' She looked around and everyone nodded. 'I'll start. I have never … ' she paused to think, 'Played Quidditch.'

She, Sirius, Remus and James all took a shot of Firewhiskey.

'My turn!' Sirius informed them, 'I have never kissed a girl,' he said before confidently downing a shot.

Remus and James also took a shot. Evangeline and Izzy glanced at each other, smirks on their faces. At the same time they both drank a shot. Sirius gaped wide eyed at Evangeline, Y-You kissed a girl?' he asked her.

'It was only Izzy,' Evangeline said innocently, glancing at Remus who's eyes where like saucers. She laughed, 'On the cheek, guys! Jeez …'

'That's good,' Sirius said, with a sigh of relief.

'Oh, wait, it's my turn,' Lily said. She bit her lip as she thought of something to say. 'Hmm … I have never read a book,' she shrugged, and filled her glass with Firewhiskey and downed the thing faster than most people thought she would. Remus, Izzy and Evangeline also downed a shot.

'Yay! It's my turn!' Izzy said buoyantly, bouncing up and down. 'I have never fallen in love,' she said, glancing around and winking at Evangeline who smiled back. Izzy, picked up her shot and downed it, smiling at Remus who was sitting beside her. He also drank a shot. Evangeline glanced at Sirius, picked up her shot and drank it whilst looking him in the eye. He smiled back at her and kissed her softly on the lips when she had finished it. He picked up his own, downed it and slung his arm over Evangeline's shoulders.

Everyone glanced around, James was holding a shot in his hand, looking across at Lily who had her head down avoiding contact with everyone. James sighed, but downed the shot anyway. Evangeline felt sorry for her brother, she knew how much Lily meant to him.

'I have never felt alone,' Remus said, stunning everyone. 'But I'm not any more,' he added, glancing at Izzy who blushed.

He took his shot and downed it readily before glancing around at everyone else. Evangeline reached for her shot, shakily picked it up, lifted it to her mouth. She downed it quickly, before setting it down. She felt Sirius pull her closer to his body, but yet he too reached for his shot and downed it.

It was Peter's turn. 'Um …. ' he looked around bewilderedly as he attempted to think of something to say. 'I have never … ' his face cracked into a smile. 'I have never drank Firewhiskey.' He reached for his untouched until now shot and drank it slowly. Everyone else followed suit and did the same, although maybe not as slow.

James was stroking his chin thoughtfully. 'I have never seen a guy naked,' he said with a smirk.

Evangeline chuckled and shook her head. Izzy and Lily gaped at her, 'What – When?' Izzy asked her, flabbergastedly.

Evangeline glanced at Sirius and laughed as they met eye contact. James' eyes widened, 'YOU DID NOT!' he shouted, jumping to his feet and rushing towards Sirius.

'James! Sit down … ' Evangeline sighed, 'I accidentally walked in on him in the shower over the Summer. Okay? Satisfied?' she asked her brother who had returned to his seat. James rolled his eyes and nodded. Evangeline reached for her shot and downed it. 'Anyone else?' Sirius shifted tensely beside her. Evangeline glanced at him as he reached for his shot. Her eyes widened.

'It's not what it looks like,' Sirius reassured her. 'I walked in on Moony just after he got out of the shower.'

'Clearly it isn't what it looks like,' Izzy said, she was watching Remus who was reaching for a shot.

James laughed loudly, 'Oooh! Moony and Padfoot! Care to explain?' he taunted them.

Remus glanced at Sirius who shook his head vigorously. Remus glanced at Izzy who had her eyebrows raised. He visibly sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. 'I walked in on Padfoot, after he had drank three bottles of Firewhiskey, jumping on his bed – 'Remus gulped ' – naked.'

Evangeline burst into laughter with everyone else apart from Sirius and Remus who were grimacing. Evangeline hid her head in her hands. 'Ooh dear, 'she said after finally calming down. She wiped tears of mirth away from her eyes. 'I'm sure that was a sight!' she said, sighing. 'My turn? Hmm … ' a smile teased the corners of her mouth. She glanced at Lily, 'I have never accidentally felt up a girl's ass,' she said before laughing at Lily's expression.

'I hate you, Evie,' Lily said, grabbing her shot and downing it.

'At least it was only my ass,' Evangeline said.

Remus and James also downed a shot. Much to Evangeline's surprise, Sirius didn't. She glanced at him confusedly. 'I feel up girls' asses intentionally, not unintentionally,' he enlightened her.

'When you say girls' asses, I hope you only mean mine,' Evangeline said with her eyebrow raised suspiciously yet warningly.

'Of course I do! Anyway your ass is nicer than –'

'Padfoot, it's your turn,' James interrupted deliberately.

'Hmm … I have never pranked a Slytherin.'

Sirius, James, Remus, Evangeline and Peter all drank shots. 'Don't worry, you two,' Evangeline said, glancing between Izzy and Lily. 'We'll let you in on one some say,' she said with a wink.

'I think I'll pass, Evie,' Lily said. 'I have never thought that Bellatrix Black is a bitch.'

Evangeline snorted. 'Understatement. Major understatement,' she said before downing a shot, she was followed by everyone else.

As the night moved on and into the early hours of the morning, the 'I have never' statements became more random. The amount of alcohol had taken it's toll on Lily, Izzy and Peter who had fallen asleep leaning against the sofa. Remus, James, Sirius and Evangeline carried on for a while before Evangeline fell asleep in Sirius' arms still clutching her bottle of Firewhiskey. After deciding that the game was a bit boring when the three people left already knew almost everything about each other they stopped. James and Remus grabbed an armchair each and snuggled down for the night while Sirius was very happy to sit leaning against the sofa with Evangeline leaning against him. That was certainly one of the most eventful birthdays that Evangeline Potter would probably ever have.

Hope you liked the chapter!!! REVIEWS!! Thanks to everyone who reviews every chapter I update, it is much appreciated! Tori xox