Disclaimer: In short, I don't own anything except any original characters, such as Kat and Nick. So don't sue me.
AN: thanx for all the reviews, it's much appreciated. Special thanx to "Lolanthe" for the Edinburgh comment, i have changed it, i didn't exactly have a map wiv me at the time and my spell checker didn't know how to spell it either, so i have an excuse! Sorta at least. Luv to hear ur reviews, so keep 'em comin.
This is coming out to you un-beta-ed so i will re-post the chap when my beta's get back to me. Chap 4 might be a while coz of the REAL hp book, but i'm not about to abandon this story.
Also, if u want answers to any questions plz leave comments on my livejournal (the site is in my profile) coz i'm not one to send out individual emails to people and wud rather just post a reply to any comment made on livejournal. It's just easier that way.
And the story
Lives Repaired
By ravus85Hogsmede Weekend
Evan dressed in plain black slacks and a brilliant blue silk shirt on Friday morning, deciding that he'd had enough of wearing his usual robes throughout his classes, before finding Nick and walking down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Upon entering, Evan noticed the strange looks he received from the few Slytherins who had come down for breakfast, as well as hearing some of the less desirable comments whispered between house-mates, stating his clothing was both 'inappropriate' and 'degrading.'
Despite this, Evan simply held his tongue and ignored the rude students, already planning the tongue lashing two of them would be receiving later today, before smiling congenially at his fellow professors and starting his morning meal.
During the week, many of Hogwarts' students had taken a particular liking towards their new professor. Most, Evan thought, simply enjoyed his classes because, although he did give them a thorough grounding in defence, he made sure there was always some practical application in all his classes in order to keep everybody's interest.
Evan had always found that a varied class always resulted in the best marks across all range of students.
Hogwarts' staff, however, had not all taken such a liking to the new enigma that was Evan Jameson. Although Hermione had been extremely welcoming, Evan still saw the occasional glance she sent his way, as though still not sure of his character. Severus on the other hand, had been down right rude to the new professor, pointedly ignoring him most of the day, and only speaking to Evan if it was absolutely necessary.
Before long, Madame Pomfrey came over to collect Nick for his lessons, while Evan headed towards the Headmaster's seat, intent on speaking to him before the day was out.
"Ah, Evan my boy, do sit down," greeted the Headmaster, as he gestured to Minerva's now empty seat. "How can I help you this beautiful morning?" he asked, once Evan was seated.
Just by looking at his old mentor, Evan was sickened by the innocent look Albus sent him, his eyes still twinkling annoyingly.
"I was hoping I could speak to you in your office later on today Headmaster. It has to do with Nick's schooling while he's here," requested Evan.
"Ah yes," replied the old man serenely. "I'd be delighted to see you after classes then Evan, and I'm sure we can work something out for young Nicholas."
"Thank you sir," he replied, before getting to his feet and heading towards his morning classes.
HPHPHPHPHP
As Evan rode up the moving staircase towards Dumbledore's office later that day, he couldn't help but look behind. He had been sure someone had been following him since he left his classroom, but so far had seen no one.
Shrugging slightly, Evan decided it must simply be his mind playing tricks on him, not being used to the drafty corridors of the castle as he once had been.
Evan knocked on the door to the Headmaster's office, before hearing Albus' summons to enter.
Opening the door, Evan saw that nothing had really changed since his previous meetings in this room while a student. Despite, the occasional new object on some of he Headmaster's shelves, much of the room had remained unchanged over the past ten years.
"Evan, do take a seat," offered the Headmaster, gesturing towards the particularly garish yellow polka-dot arm chair opposite his desk. "Would you care for some tea?"
"No thank you," replied Evan, taking his seat and watching as Albus poured himself a cup. "I was wondering, sir, if you knew of any magical schools near Hogwarts?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
"Do you mean particularly for those younger than eleven?" inquired Albus as he calmly sipped his tea.
"Yes, sir. You see, Nick went to a magical school back in Canada, so has never been to a muggle school before and is a little apprehensive to do so. He'd rather floo to one of Britain's main cities than go to a schooling system he knows nothing about."
"I understand your dilemma Evan, but unfortunately I have no knowledge of any magical schools near Hogwarts. I'm afraid the closest is Edinburgh."
"Oh," replied Evan slowly. "Is there any way that Nick could easily get to Edinburgh daily then, if he agreed to be schooled there."
"I'd be perfectly happy to allow him to use my floo, in order to get to school and back, Evan," replied Albus. "It would certainly be no trouble."
Evan breathed a sigh of relief. Despite his considerable dislike for the Headmaster's frequent meddling, he was extremely relieved that Albus was willing to make sure his son still got a proper education while Evan taught Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"It's much appreciated sir. I'll have to talk to Nick first, but I think the idea should be fine."
"I'm glad to hear it my boy. Anything I can do to help, I will," Albus said, smiling genuinely.
"Thank you, I'll leave you to your work then," continued Evan. "And I'll be sure to inform you of Nick's decision," he said, before getting to his feet and leaving Albus' office.
As he walked down the corridor, heading towards the Great Hall for dinner he had to admit that the Headmaster's kindness had seemed genuine, and not simply his outright meddling in other people's affairs. Perhaps, only the Boy-who-lived got that special treatment from the Headmaster he thought grimly, rubbing the scar on his cheek absentmindedly as he continued down the corridor, unaware of the black eyes watching him from the shadows.
HPHPHPHP
Evan sat at his desk marking the quiz he had given to one of his second year classes that morning, while waiting for the two Slytherins to arrive for their detention.
Every so often he would lift his gaze from the barely legible writing of a twelve year old, to gaze at the single picture frame perched upon the corner of his desk. It was a photo taken on his first date with Emily. It had been snowing and after going to the local theater Evan had walked Emily home to her flat. Emily had put her muggle camera on automatic to take a picture of the two of them, snow dusting their shoulders, and their faces pink from the cold. Evan smiled at the memory, wishing his wife were still here, but realizing that while she was alive he had always had an excuse to stay away from his past life. Now that he was back at Hogwarts he was determined to put the past behind him forever, and start again with Nick by his side.
Suddenly, Evan heard a scuffle outside, then what sounded like angry voices in the corridor outside his room.
Noticing that the two Slytherins were five minutes late, he decided to check what was going on.
Opening the door he saw what could only be called a stand off between Jonathan Addington and William Darswaith, while the second Slytherin due for detention, going by the name of Basil Reed, stood at Addington's shoulder.
The enmity that passed between the two was legendary, and eerily familiar. Then again, Evan figured something similar would have occurred between the renowned Draco Malfoy and himself when they had been at school.
Deciding to put a stop to this before it got out of hand, Evan cleared his throat loudly, startling the trio.
"What is going on here?" he questioned, getting a sense of deja vu at having to say that twice in one week. But before any of the students had time to reply, Evan continued. "I believe that you two," he looked at the two Slytherins, "are late for your detention. And it is incredibly close to curfew Mr Darswaith. I would advise you return to you dormitory before you also get a detention for being out late."
"Yes sir," replied Darswaith, before turning and retreating down the corridor.
"In," commanded Evan to the two Slytherin students.
Evan took a moment to collect himself before entering the classroom and closing the door behind him, giving the two Slytherins a feeling of being trapped in the room alone with an irate teacher, although neither would willingly show such an emotion outwardly.
Sitting at his desk, Evan motioned that the two students should take a seat at the two desks closest to the front.
"That is the second time I have come across the two of you in a quarrel with another student." Evan held up his hand as Reed opened his mouth to speak. "I am not interested as to who started the altercation that I just witnessed outside this room, and nor do I want to hear any excuses as to your behavior with the first year that you disgustingly portrayed earlier this week."
Evan paused menacingly before continuing. "The attitudes you have presented towards other students in this school has been utterly uncalled for, and the comments you made at breakfast this morning regarding my attire were both unwanted and degrading. I will report these altercations to your head of house, Professor Snape, and make sure that he expresses the seriousness of such derogatory comments, and if I hear any more such comments I will be going to the Headmaster to discuss your suspension from this school. Is that understood."
"Yes sir," they both replied stoically.
"By sorting students into houses the founders of this school did not intend to create such violent hostilities as are now present within this castle. They are simply a means to create friendly sporting and academic rivalries that also increase a student's willingness to further themselves. I would implore that both of you attempt to treat your fellow students with more respect, or this matter will become a lot more serious."
Evan took a moment to consider the two Slytherins before him, trying to discern if anything he had said had penetrated their heads. Basil Reed looked particularly shamed by his actions, but Jonathan Addington, although his head was looking down at the desk and looked considerably ashamed, his fingers had a certain nervous twitch to them that told Evan that he simply wanted to get on with his detention and go to bed. Sighing inwardly, Evan could only hope that he at least had given them food for thought.
"Now," he continued. "Tonight I would like you to appropriately organize these," he said as he waved his wand at the back of the room, illuminating boxes of books, and a sizable bookshelf along the back wall. "I expect them to be organized by subject, and not author, so that I can find them easily. If you are not finished by midnight, I will expect to see you again at eight o'clock tomorrow evening. Is that clear gentlemen?"
"Yes sir."
"I would also not be surprised if you hear from your head of house in the near future, as I shall be informing him tomorrow of your actions. Now, get to work," Evan said, before turning back the quizzes he needed to mark.
HPHPHPHPHP
Saturday morning saw both Nick and Evan strolling across Hogwarts' grounds towards the gates, straggling after the great horde of students who were headed for some free time in Hogsmede. Hermione and Severus were the students' chaperons today, but Evan thought it would be the perfect time to show his son around the wizarding town.
Earlier that morning, Evan had confronted Severus concerning the behavior of Jonathan Addington in particular, but although Evan was sure he had been polite, he could not fathom the contempt Severus had shown him. According to the Head of Slytherin House, Mister Addington was a star student who would go far upon leaving Hogwarts. Yeah right, thought Evan as his gaze followed both Severus and Hermione as they passed through the school gates. I'm sure many thought that Tom Riddle would go far too when he left Hogwarts.
Evan had to sigh, when would people stop making the same mistakes over and over. Forcing a smile onto his face once more, Evan looked down at his son, glad that at least one thing in his world had gone right.
Upon entering Hogsmede a real smile broke out on Evan's fave when he saw the amazement shining in Nick's eyes. They had lived in a mainly muggle community back in Canada, so the concept of an entirely wizarding town was simply breathtaking.
"Can we go to the sweet shop first Dad?" asked Nick as he tugged on his Dad's sleeve. "I heard someone saying it sells all the best sweets in the world."
The look on Nick's face was priceless and Evan simply couldn't resist as his son dragged him into the familiar Honeydukes Sweet Shop.
HPHPHPHPHP
Hours later, after spending far too much money on sweets and showing Nick around the town of Hogsmede, the pair passed by a shop that Evan didn't recognise.
The clean glass windows revealed displays of practically any design of robes imaginable, some of which were definitely original. When Evan saw the swinging sign above the entrance, his heart lept into his throat as the silver lettering on a navy-blue background proclaimed the store's name:
'White Lily: Designer Robes'
Staring at those elegant silver letters, Evan found tears forming in his eyes as he remembered one of the few times he had truly felt happy before he left for Canada.
The warm sun shone down upon Harry's back as he sat on the edge of the lake, flicking small pebbles into the water before him. He had only been let out of the Hospital Wing earlier that morning after Voldemort's yearly attack had nearly killed him.
Finding a particularly small and perfectly round pebble Harry held it in his hands, fingering its smooth edges and trying not to think about the coming summer. It was going to be his last summer at his relatives, the Dursley's, before returning to Hogwarts for his final year at Hogwarts. His relatives hated him with a vengeance, and the mere thought of Harry coming of age in the wizarding world had seen them refuse to care for him as soon as he turned seventeen, leaving Harry in a dilemma as to where he would stay for the remainder of the holidays. Mrs Weasley had tried and failed to convince Dumbledore to let Harry stay at the Burrow, the Weasley family home, and so the only other option was to have Harry stay at Grimmauld Place for the summer.
The mere thought of staying in that house sent Harry into a depressing spiral, not wanting to have a repeat of the days on end spent reliving his Godfather's death over and over.
A movement beside Harry startled him and he whipped his head around to see who was there.
Just coming around the trunk of the tree behind him was Ginny. She had finished her last O.W.L. Exam only the day before, but as she walked towards his spot by the lake she looked calm and ethereal compared to his own turbulent mind.
"Hi, can I sit here?" she asked, gesturing towards the patch of grass at his side.
"Sure."
They simply sat together quietly before Ginny broke the silence.
"What's your favorite flower?"
The question was so unexpected that Harry turned his head and watched as Ginny twirled a daisy between her thumb and forefinger. Her hair had fallen forward, hiding her face from view as she gazed at the daisy she held. Harry couldn't help but stare, as her vibrant hair shone in the sun, almost creating a halo of light around her. When had she grown into the beautiful young woman in front of him.
She felt his gaze on her and turned her head slowly to look at Harry. "Well, what flower?" she asked again.
Harry wrenched his gaze from Ginny, looking out across the lake once more, before he answered in a small voice. "The white lily."
Ginny watched as Harry seemed to swallow painfully before he turned his head towards her once more, eyes glistening with tears. "They remind me of my mother."
Evan was wrenched from his memory as Nick tugged on his robes and pushed the door open before them, a small bell tinkling at their arrival.
Evan's gaze wandered slowly around the shop taking in the surprising number of customers along with the variety of colors and materials throughout the shop. He noticed that there was everything from bargain priced robes, to designer made and limited edition robes that would make a sizable dent in any pocket book. Each and every robe had varying colors and styles, catering to any and all tastes.
As he perused the racks, a young woman came across to him after serving another customer at the till.
"Can I help you sir?"
Evan looked up, almost disappointed when he noticed the woman had mouse-blond hair and a name-tag reading 'Sarah.'
"Uh, no thank you. I'm just browsing." Then, with smile she was gone, winding her way through the racks to another customer.
Finding a few items that Evan thought might be okay, he was heading towards the changing rooms when the bell tinkled once more. Out of the corner of his eye Evan recognized the bushy brown hair of Hermione and was about to walk over and say hello, when she turned towards the counter and spent a brief moment talking to another assistant. Only a few words were exchanged before the store assistant left Hermione at the counter and walked through a door that presumably lead to the shop's store rooms.
Shrugging his shoulders slightly, Evan turned once more towards the changing rooms to try on the robes in his arms.
Just as he was changing out of the last set of robes he heard two extremely familiar voices coming closer to the changing rooms. One was obviously Hermione, but Evan hadn't heard that other voice in at least ten years and was scared to even leave the comfort of his changing room. Unfortunately, after five minutes the voice hadn't moved away and he realized he was going to have to open the door sometime.
Gathering all his courage, he collected all the robes, making sure the one he wished to purchase was on the top, before carefully unlatching the door and walked out as calmly as he could.
Just five meters away stood two women. One, was Hermione, but the other was a beautiful young woman in pale blue robes that fit her form perfectly, with a moderately low neckline, and long flaring sleeves. The woman stood slightly shorter than Hermione, and had her vibrant red hair pulled back from her face. Her warm brown eyes and small pert red lips were smiling as she listened to Hermione's voice.
Evan had to say that Ginny looked even more beautiful than when he had left.
Ginny seemed to notice his eyes upon her and looked his way, smiling slightly as she took in the tall, dark-haired man before her.
Hermione realized after a moment that she no longer had Ginny's full attention and followed the younger woman's eyes to find Professor Jameson clutching a few robes to his chest and staring avidly at Ginny.
"Evan, I didn't realize you were here," she said, determined to stop the looks that both Ginny and Evan sent at each other. "Ginny, this is Professor Evan Jameson, he's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year. Evan, this is my good friend and sister-in-law Ginny Weasley."
Evan walked towards the pair slowly, trying to be polite and stop staring at the beauty before him. "Hi," he said, extending his hand towards Ginny. "Pleasure to meet you."
"You too," replied Ginny with a small smile. "I hear from Hermione that you're determined not to succumb to the dreaded Defense curse. That might take a bit of effort Mister Jameson, no one has lasted more than a year since I went to Hogwarts."
"I certainly intend to change that Miss Weasley, and please, just call me Evan."
"Than you must call me Ginny. Any friend of Hermione's is a friend of mine."
Ginny was about to say something else when someone tugged at Evan's hand, diverting his attention. Looking down he saw Nick holding up a Slytherin green robe with black silk edging.
"Can I get this one Dad?"
Evan put an arm around his son's shoulders before looking back up at Ginny and Hermione. "Ginny," he said with an ease he had long since forgotten. "This is my son Nick. Nick this is Ginny Weasley, a friend of Professor Weasley's."
"Hello," said Ginny. "That's a very nice robe you've got there, a classic style."
"Thanks," replied Nick, before looking up at his Dad once more. "And it fits perfectly too. Please can I get it Dad. I don't have any formal robes other than black ones."
"We'll see," replied Evan as he extracted the robe from Nick's hands and looked at the tag that had the price on it. It was a reasonable price, and seeing as Evan himself was going to buy a set of robes as well he thought his son could do with some new ones too. The fact that the only formal ones Nick owned were also the ones that his son had worn to his mother's funeral also spurred him on.
"Please Dad."
Sighing, as though it took a great effort to answer Evan replied, "Okay, I'll get you these but I'm only buying you one set of robes. No more until Christmas at least."
"Thanks Dad," exclaimed Nick, a smile lighting up his face.
"Excuse us ladies, we'd better be going." Evan was headed towards the cash register when Ginny spoke up.
"I can ring that in for you."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I own this place," Ginny said bashfully.
"You own it?" asked Evan with forced surprise.
"I've always wanted to create my own company and I'd always loved designing robes, so 'White Lily' just made itself really," said Ginny as she rang up Nick's robe on the till. "I never thought it would be as popular as it's become, but I'm not about to complain and I still have all the time I need for my designing alongside running the company."
"You must be very proud of this store then, it has great variety," replied Evan as he indicated the robe he also wished to purchase.
"I actually haven't been spending as much time here in Hogsmede as I use to, 'cause my other store in Diagon Alley is taking up a lot of my time at the moment. I only came up today because of Hogwarts' Hogsmede weekend."
"I didn't realize you had another store in Diagon Alley. I never saw it when I was there in the summer holidays."
"It's only recently started growing well, so I'm not surprised you had never heard of it before." By then, Evan had paid for the robes and Nick was eager to finish looking around the town before heading back to Hogwarts for dinner.
"Well, it's been nice meeting you Ginny, and thank you for the robes."
"You're welcome."
"I'll see you back at school Hermione," said Evan as he and Nick headed to the exit.
"Bye," said Nick, with a small wave as he followed his father.
As soon as the door had closed behind the two Ginny turned to Hermione. "He's cute."
"Ginny!" exclaimed Hermione, smacking the younger girl lightly on the shoulder.
"What? He is, pity about the scar, but I think it kind of adds to the whole tall, dark and mysterious ensemble."
"Love at first sight is it Gin?" asked Hermione in a teasing tone, before receiving her own smack from Ginny in response.
HPHPHPHPHP
Evan was wandering the grounds later that night, brooding.
Nick was in bed asleep, after spending the entire evening gushing about the kindness of Miss Weasley who had given them both a 10 discount on their robes and given Nick a discount card to her brothers' shop 'Weasley Wizarding Wheezes.' Nick had been so extatic when he'd found the discount card that Ginny had slipped into their bag. The Weasley twins were famous for their pranks at Hogwarts and their merchandise was considered the best for pranking.
While Nick had been writing a letter to one of his friends back in Canada about the card, a task Evan had eventually convinced him to do in order to settle down, Evan still couldn't understand why Ginny would name her shop 'White Lily.'
It simply couldn't be coincidence that one of the few personal things he had told his friends had been used for a shop name. Evan didn't know whether to be proud or horrified that Ginny had used that particular flower.
As Evan headed towards the fringes of the Forbidden Forest, he couldn't help but wonder if he was fooling himself about the real reasons he had returned to Britain.
He had genuinely loved Emily and still did, but now he had seen Ginny again he wondered if perhaps there had been some underlying feeling that he had simply suppressed after leaving. Ginny had gone out with him for a couple of months back in his seventh year, but it had never really seemed to work. He was constantly training with many of the Professors as well as others, and had sworn he would not tell his friends exactly what he was doing. Ginny had not appreciated being left in the dark and so eventually, they mutually decided to end it.
However, after their break-up he had always seemed to be missing something. He thought he had filled that gap when he met Emily, but now Emily was gone.
After Emily had died, Canada no longer seemed like home, so Evan decided it was time to return to what he had always considered home. The idea of having a new identity gave him the chance to live in a place he had always felt safe, while living the normal life he had never before had at Hogwarts.
As Evan entered the forest his shape shifted and he found himself walking of four paws as his sleek black fur faded into the dark forest. Still questioning how he felt about Ginny's sudden reappearance in his life, Evan didn't notice the twinkling blue eyes that watched a familiar black panther slink into the Forbidden Forest as the moon slowly rose in the sky.
Next Chapter: Flying (we meet ron this time)
AN: hope u like :P plz r&r. Its so nice to get some feedback from you guys.