Evelyn's p.o.v.
"You really think he knows something you don't?", Thor asks as we're standing just outside Hogwarts.
"Definitely. Tony never heard of him, yet Karkaroff knows details about my family that only a close person to us would know.", I say as students run pass us.
"I already told you, he's manipulating you.", Severus states and I frown, "I consider myself smart enough to sense when I'm being manipulated."
"Breaking into S.H.I.E.L.D. is not the smartest move, I hope you're aware of that.", Thor states as I burry my nose into the soft scarf, protecting it from the cold wind.
"I agree with him.", Severus tells.
"Then what should I do? Ha? What?", I ask, getting a little rattled up.
"Nothing. Ignore him and focus on your job.", Severus states harshly.
"This is my job! What if he knows something about Silver that we don't?", I say.
"If that was the case, Fury would inform us.", Thor tells and I sigh, realizing there's no reasoning with those two.
"Listen, regardless of what you two think, I will go to S.H.I.E.L.D. and do what I think it's right. With or without your support.", I say firmly and they look at each other.
"Second task begins tomorrow and then we have preparations for the Yule ball.", Severus refreshes my memory.
"Even though if you leave now, there's no chance for you to get back in time.", Thor tells me.
"Well, actually there is.", Severus says with hesitation and we both look at him.
"We do have floo connection with New York.", he explains and my eyes lit up.
"BUT, it's risky since we don't use that path anymore so often.", he continues.
"I don't care, I'll take the risk.", I say quickly.
"You're not a wizard so you can't use it on your own.", Severus explains.
"Then come with me.", I say with a smile and he raises his eyebrow.
"Oh come on... please? I'll grade papers for you till the end of the school year.", I say, trying to convince him.
Thor snorts, "You don't grade your own class in time."
"He's right.", Severus agrees with Thor.
"Seriously? You're not going to help me?", I ask, looking at Severus.
He makes a face and sighs, "How much time do you need?"
"Four hours tops. We'll be back by dinner. Everyone is going to Hogsmeade so they won't notice us missing."
"I can cover up for you if needed.", Thor tells, looking at Severus.
I can see he's debating with himself. He does want to help me but also thinks it's a mistake.
"Fine.", he finally caves and I smile.
"Come on then, let's get going.", I say, pulling Severus by his sleeve.
"Good luck!", Thor yells after us.
"First, I need to get some stuff from my room.", I say as we enter the castle.
Severus nods, "Meet me in the Room of Requirement... and please hurry."
I nod back and rush towards my room.
After taking everything I need, I make my way towards the Room. Turning the last corner, I stop, seeing a man pacing around and mumbling something to himself.
Frowning, I take a few steps closer, realizing I never saw him before. I know everyone that works here and he's not a member of the staff.
"Can I help you?", I ask carefully, slowly making my way towards him.
He jumps a little and looks at me.
"Hello.", he greets, forcing a smile.
"Are you lost?", I say, not taking a full look of him.
He's tall, has brown hair and brown eyes. He's sweating and looks very nervous, constantly tugging on his shirt.
"A little. I need to speak to professor Dumbledore."
"Regarding?", I ask, lifting my eyebrow.
"I'm from the Ministry of Magic and the matter is private.", he tells, getting a little offended.
"Oh, I'm sorry.", I say, letting my guard down.
"So? Where can I find him?"
"He's in his office. Headmaster tower. Do you know the way?"
"I'll manage.", he tells, pushing me with his shoulder and walking away.
"What an ass.", I whisper, looking at him until he disappears from my sight.
X X X
"You're late.", Severus tells immediately as I walk into the room.
"Sorry but I had an encounter with some guy from the Ministry of Magic.", I say and Severus frowns, "Someone from the Ministry is here?"
"Well, at least that's what he told me. He was searching Dumbledore."
"What for?"
"He was very rude when I asked him why."
"Maybe they found out about you.", he whispers.
"Is that... a problem?", I ask and he looks at me, "Don't worry about that. Albus will handle it. Come on, let's get this done."
We step into the fireplace and I instinctively wrap my arm around Severus's.
"Scared?", he asks with a smile, looking at me.
"Uncomfortable is a better description.", I say, squeezing it.
"And to think you wanted to do this alone.", he tells with a chuckle.
"Let's just do this.", I say, closing my eyes.
"New York!", he speaks clearly and in the matter of seconds, we find ourselves in America.
"Where are we?", I ask, stepping out of the fireplace and looking around the old, dusty house.
"I told you we don't use this portal so often."
"Then what do you use?", I ask, inhaling the moist, rotten air in my lungs and making a face.
"We don't really go to America.", he informs me.
We walk outside and I see that we're in a poor neighborhood. The houses and buildings are barely standing and I can't really believe that someone actually lives here.
"Come on, this way.", Severus speaks, bringing me back to Earth.
As we walk towards the main street, I start to slowly recognize the area.
"This is here? It's like ten minutes from Stark Industries. I never knew about this place.", I say surprised.
"That's because you weren't suppose to know.", he tells me.
"Yea, that makes sense.", I agree.
"So, what is your plan?"
"First, we go to my apartment. I need my laptop and my S.H.I.E.L.D. ID card. Then, we'll go to Stark Industries to drop some papers.", I say, waving for a cab.
X X X
I unlock the door and we enter my apartment. I immediately go to my room to grab my laptop and ID, leaving Severus in the living room.
"This is a big apartment.", I hear him say so I smile, "It is. Do you like it?"
"I like the view."
"Can you imagine yourself living here?", I ask, coming back into the living room.
"I would definitely need some adjustment time.", he tells, looking at me.
I smile, "I know you will like it... after some time."
He turns around and notices the piano, "You play?"
I nod.
"Really?", he asks with doubt.
I frown and smile a little, "Is that so weird?"
"You don't seem like a classic musician."
"That's because I'm not. It was my mothers idea and after she died I finished my lessons for respect of her.", I say.
"I understand."
"I would like to give you a proper tour but we're in a hurry.", I say, seeing that he's interested in my place.
He nods, "You're right. Let's go."
We enter the elevator and I decide that the safest thing is to take my car, so I press the garage button on the elevator.
"Where are we?", he asks as we exit the elevator.
"Garage. We're taking my car.", I say, leading the way.
"Which car is yours?"
"Those two.", I say, tabbing on my red Rolls Royce and black BMW.
He frowns, "You have two cars?"
"Yep.", I say, unlocking the BMW.
"Why?", he asks as we enter the car.
I smile, "Rolls Royce is for my soul and BMW is what I use on a daily basis."
"In other words, you have money to spend and you like cars.", he concludes and I look at him, "Well, yea. My reason sounds less spoiled."
"Not really but okay.", he tells while laughing.
"Do wizards drive? I mean, anything except brooms.", I ask as we drive out of the garage.
"We have flying cars and motorbikes.", he tells causally and I look at me, "Are you shitting me?"
He looks back at me, "No, I'm not."
I know he's not a fan of my language but that's something he'll have to get used to. Especially if he want's to live with me.
"Do you have one?", I ask.
"I have a regular car."
"Oh.", I say, a little disappointed.
"But Hagrid has a flying motorbike so he could take you for a drive."
I smile, "And you can take me for a ride on your broom."
My smile fades the moment I realize how that sounds. Luckily, Severus is pretty innocent in that field so he doesn't notice anything wrong with my statement. And that gets me wondering.
"Can I ask you something?", I say as we stop in front of a red light.
"Sure."
I never had a problem with delicate questions but with him I find it hard to be THAT out front.
"So, you where never in a relationship, right?"
"Right."
"But, did you do it?", I ask, feeling really awkward and uncomfortable.
He looks at me, "Do what?"
"Have you ever slept with a woman?", I ask as the light turn green.
"I'm thirty five years old, what do you think?"
I smile, "You did?"
"The fact that you're surprised by that makes me feel a little offended."
"That's not my intention, but since you where in love with Lily for a long time I just thought that you never had sex."
"I was in love, not stupid. I am a male, I do have needs like any other male. Not that often but still."
"So you had like one night stands?", I ask, getting interested.
"Why are we talking about this?", he asks and I can sense his discomfort.
"I'm interested.", I say.
"Why? Does that matter?"
"No, I'm just interested. It was just an innocent question, never ment to make you feel uncomfortable."
"Then change the subject.", he tells harshly.
"Sorry.", I say, deciding to concentrate on the road.
The rest of the drive was silent. I feel like I did something wrong even thought this is the stuff people talk in relationships. But then again, he never was in one.
"We're here.", I say, parking the car a few feet away from S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Do you wanna wait in?", I ask and he nods.
I take my laptop and exit the car, hoping this will go as fast as possible.
