Evelyn could walk on her own, carrying weight, for short distances by the time that autumn rolled around. Cole had come to visit her, but the visit had been brief, and she hadn't touched on the subject of all the troubles of the Wizarding world.
Just getting onto the Hogwarts Express was hell for Evelyn. Fred and George did their best to prevent her form being jostled, and Lee carried Jinx for her, but she still stumbled several times. When she finally slumped into a seat, her legs ached and she just wanted some chocolate.
Chocolate is not what she got. Instead, she got an intense stare-down between the twins and the newly-declared prefect, Draco Malfoy, who threatened them with detention for any mishaps they might cause. Evelyn stayed quiet, staring down at Jinx, who sprawled in her lap. She refused to look at him, especially since the other Slytherin Prefect was Pansy Parkinson, someone that Evelyn did not like. Draco liked her a little too much, though Evelyn reminded herself that it was silly of her to think so. The tension was nearly thick enough to touch.
The snack cart arriving broke the tension. Evelyn ordered chocolate frogs and Draco went on his way. Evelyn relished the frogs while Lee pestered the twins about their latest inventions. Evelyn wasn't really paying attention, but she gathered that the twins planned on opening a joke shop as soon as they could.
Evelyn suddenly heard her name, and looked up to see the three looking at her expectantly. "I'm sorry, what?" Fred asked, "have you ever had your first kiss?" Evelyn blushed, "what kind of question is that?!" Lee concluded, "she hasn't." George clicked his tongue, "that wont do." Evelyn huffed, "so what? I don't think it's that important." The door to the compartment opened suddenly, and Ernie stood there grinning. "But Miss Dracaena, it most certainly is." Evelyn rolled her eyes, "have you even had your first kiss, Ernie?" Ernie nodded, "yes I have." The other three declared that they had as well.
Evelyn was saved from that embarrassing conversation by their arrival at Hogwarts. She stood a little too fast and nearly fell, but Ernie caught her. "Easy there, do you need help?" The twins answered for her, "we'll take care of it." They helped her up and Lee carried Jinx to the great hall. The sorting hat had a warning for them, making Evelyn uneasy.
Neville beside Lee, which was unusual, because he usually sat beside Hermione. He looked like he had something that he wanted to say. Evelyn finally managed to get the others to hut up long enough to give him a chance to speak. His cheeks were very red. "I-... I'm glad you're better." He said it in a hurry. Evelyn got the feeling that that wasn't what he really wanted to say, but she didn't pester him.
Evelyn hated Umbridge, and Umbridge hated her. Since their first defense against the dark arts class, Evelyn had done all she could to get on Umbridge's nerves, and because she was a Hunter and not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic, Umbridge could do little more than give her scoldings and detention, not taking house points for some reason, though she was happy to take them from the other outraged students. After a few days, when Umbridge flinched when Evelyn threw her hands up, Evelyn realized why. Umbridge didn't know about her incredibly weakened state. Umbridge feared her. Evelyn didn't mind that. How did the ugly pink woman expect anyone to learn spells by reading them instead of practicing? It was all stupid. Not only that, but the stress of OWLs and someone, either the twins, Ernie, or Ginny, haunting her footsteps to make sure she was alright, was driving her insane.
Quidditch tryouts were the only thing that she was looking forward to. She had insisted to Umbridge that she had to be there, so she traded Friday's detention for a whole week the next week. Evelyn hated that woman. Everyone did.
Evelyn was pleased that Ron became the Keeper of the team. It was a nice change from all the anger and grumpiness that had been going on.
Evelyn wasn't feeling too well one morning, and her entire body ached after a long, restless night. Detention with Umbridge had worn on her, since Umbridge had her move all sorts of heavy things for her, not knowing that she wasn't as strong as she was supposed to be. She didn't tell anyone. Most people seemed to assume that Evelyn was back to normal, and she did her best to keep it that way, but that morning, when she dressed and slipped out of bed, her legs buckled and she fell to the ground with a grunt. Luckily, the room was empty, but it still scared her. She laid there until she had to get up for class.
Jinx meowed at her, waddling beside her and purring encouragingly as she made her way down the steps. She leaned heavily on the rail, her bag seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, and she had to sit and rest by the time she finally made it to the common room.
The trip down the hallway was disastrous. Evelyn couldn't lean on the wall, though she did stop several times, standing still to steel herself, and she was headed right for Umbridge's class. She just managed to make it to her chair before collapsing, hiding her heavy breath. She got out her book and listened to Umbridge question Hermione. Evelyn was tired of hearing her voice, and tried to focus on reading.
Then Umbridge called out her name. Evelyn unintentionally snapped, "what?" Several students in the class openly gaped at her. Neville seemed to shrink in his seat. Umbridge, however, put on that fake smile that made Evelyn feel sick and asked, "you're looking a bit pale, are you alright?" Evelyn had had enough. She retorted with a falsely sweet voice, "my apologies, Professor, but the amount of pink that covers you is putting me off." She lowered her gaze back to her book. She could feel Umbridge's rage, but she didn't care.
"Miss Dracaena, since you are feeling so dreadfully clever today, perhaps you would care to demonstrate the cheering charm to the class?" It had nothing to do with anything, and Umbridge was trying to provoke her. Evelyn, without looking up, replied smoothly, "I doubt it would work on you." The class was dead silent, but upon a quick glance around, Evelyn realized that most of them were grinning. Draco, however, was not. She presumed she was in for an ear full come lunch time, but she didn't care.
Umbridge gave her a week's worth of detention. Evelyn didn't care. She was the first out of the classroom, walking faster than she had before her accident. She broke into an awkward run. However, as soon as she made it into her secret courtyard, her legs gave out and she collapsed rather harshly into the grass. She laid there, legs trembling and heart pounding, trying to pull herself together.
"Evelyn?" Draco dropped his bag and ran over to her, kneeling down and pulling her to sit up. "Evelyn, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Evelyn shook her head and leaned on him. She hated being weak, but she knew when she needed help. "I tried to run." Draco rubbed her back, "you're not fully healed, are you?" Evelyn replied, "no." Draco hugged her, sitting there in silence until Evelyn could breathe again.
"I can't believe you, trying to rile up Umbridge." Draco scolded gently once Evelyn could hold herself up. Evelyn rolled her eyes, "she started it." Draco huffed, "now you've got even more detention." Evelyn shrugged, "I still get to go to Quidditch practice, so I don't care." Draco smoothed her hair back and changed the subject, asking seriously, "I thought you were at least getting stronger, almost normal. What happened?" Evelyn shook her head, "it's just a momentary relapse."
"Don't you dare lie to me, Dracaena." Evelyn was a bit startled by the edge in his voice. His steely eyes were harsh as he made her look at him. "What's going on?" Evelyn gave in. "Umbridge thinks I'm fine, so during detention she makes me move heavy things for her and essentially uses me as a bodyguard when she goes around campus. I can't show weakness in front of her or I'll give her an edge, and it's starting to wear on me."
Draco's gaze turned sympathetic, but he still had a bit of a rough look. "Then why do you keep getting detention?" Evelyn rolled her eyes, "I despise that woman. I've never truly hated anyone before, and I cant control myself." Draco sighed and ruffled her hair. He thankfully changed the subject. "Do you feel up to eating?" Evelyn shook her head, "I'm not hungry." She laid back in the grass, looking up at the sky. Draco sat beside her and ate his lunch in silence.
Their silence was ruined when the door opened. Both of them nearly jumped out of their skin, until they realized that it was only Ernie. Draco remained hostile, but Evelyn sat up. "What is it, Ernie?" He walked over to her and shook her hand, slipping a piece of paper into it. She took it discreetly, then Ernie said, "congratulations on showing up Umbridge. Did you really tell her that the cheering charm wouldn't work on her?" Evelyn grinned, "the look on her face was priceless. News travels fast." Ernie laughed, "I wanted to be able to shake your hand after that." He glanced at Draco, "I'll leave you alone now. See you later." He leaned down and kissed Evelyn's cheek, earning an extremely sour look from Draco that made Evelyn want to flinch away. Ernie left.
Draco huffed, "why do you let people touch you so freely?" Evelyn tilted her head, "what do you mean?" Draco rolled his eyes, "everyone seems to kiss your cheek and hold your hand." Evelyn was confused, "it's just a handshake. Besides, a kiss on the cheek is normal." Draco scowled, "no, actually, it isn't." Evelyn replied, "it is between friends. Hunters do it all the time. I thought it was normal here, too." Draco sighed, "it isn't." Evelyn pursed her lips, "then why do they do it?"
Draco shook his head, "if you don't know, you don't need to." He stood and offered his hand to help her up. After a moment's hesitation, she took it and stood shakily. Her legs felt better.
Draco then got an odd, faraway look. "Evelyn?" Evelyn picked up her bag, "yes?" Draco looked pained. "Did..." He looked down. "When... When you got cursed..." He hesitated. Evelyn touched his shoulder, "what is it?" Draco looked anywhere but her. "Was my father there?"
Evelyn slowly let her hand fall. She opened her mouth to speak, then paused. She let out a deep sigh. "No."
Draco could tell she was lying, and she knew it. He nodded, then kissed her cheek with a bit of a blush. "Good luck, with Umbridge, I mean." Evelyn smiled and waved him off. "I'll be fine." Draco left the courtyard.
Evelyn opened the message from Ernie. Come to Hogshead when we go to Hogsmeade. This is important. Evelyn wondered what on earth was going to happen next.