"Are you out of your bloody mind! We're in midair! And I'm thinking that there is a pretty good chance that I will die from a fall this high in the air," Evelyn reasoned as Sirius stood up and turned around to face her on the bike. The bike rocked from his movements and she grasped the sides, closing her eyes.
"Come on," Sirius pleaded, "Face your fears!" To emphasize his point the stood up on the bike once again, causing Evelyn to pale considerably.
"You're going to make me throw up!" said Evelyn, "I was perfectly okay being up here when the bike doesn't move. I don't think I could handle actually driving a motorcycle in the air."
"You've done it on the ground before Vee, it is exactly the same," Sirius moved to sitting behind her in a swift shift that Evelyn could only describe as ninja-like. "Only you may want to be a bit gently up here at first. She likes to start out slow and then go hard."
"Do you have any idea how dirty what you just said sounds?" She pointed out as Sirius stationed himself behind her.
"Grow up Evelyn Violetta Potter." Sirius scoffed at her, shaking his head as if ashamed to be in her presence, "And just so you know, I start hard and end slow," He winked suggestively.
"Oh my gosh, thank you so much for telling me that." She said seriously, "I have been wondering for years and-" Sirius interrupted her to kick the bike into start, then gestured at the handlebars. Evelyn did just as Sirius had taught her on land when he first bought the bike. Her hands shook as she accelerated. Just as Sirius had instructed she picked up speed slowly and began to relax. However, the adrenaline of flying combined with Sirius' warm body once again being pressed tightly against hers was causing her heart to beat so erratically that she was certain she was on the verge of a heart attack. The wind whipped her hair behind her and she felt Sirius push it from his face and place his head on her shoulder in order to stay out of the reach of her dangerous curls.
He spoke the directions to the party in her ear and she tried to control her feelings as she felt her face turn hot. Evelyn was grateful for the wind because she was certainly on the verge of overheating.
"It's right there." He pointed at a rather average looking brick house. Evelyn directed the motorcycle towards the ground and landed rather shakily. Evelyn noticed that Sirius jumped off the motorcycle rather hastily. She couldn't decide if it was because he wanted to get away from her quickly or, if she let her heart hope, perhaps it was the same reason she wanted off the bike. Maybe Sirius was fighting the same insane urges she was? Could there be any chance that, like Evelyn, Sirius was struggling between his allegiance to James and what his own heart was telling him?
Sirius gave Evelyn his hand and smiled at her strikingly as he helped her off the bike. He placed his arm around her shoulder companionably and said, "Let's not waste anymore time. There's some lady booty in there with my name written all over it!"
She regretted letting herself hope. It was foolish to think he would want someone like her.
"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, mate!" James hollered, seemingly coming from out of the ground, he clapped Sirius on the back. Sirius put his other arm around James and the three began walking towards the house.
"So, Prongs, which gentlelady will you be leaving with tonight?" Sirius asked, gaining himself an elbow in the side from Evelyn, who was annoyed with the use of their ridiculous nicknames. She was always jealous that she didn't understand the meaning behind them. Evelyn had always felt that when they were using the names to show that no matter how much it seemed as if she were one of them, she wasn't.
James sighed dramatically, "There's only one ladybird for me, Padfoot."
Sirius took his arm off of Evelyn's shoulder and took his best friend's face in his hands. "Prongs, mate, you are like a brother to me and I love you more than anyone," Evelyn looked away feeling uncomfortable, awkwardly smiling and half-waving at the people walking into the party who were giving Sirius and James dirty looks.
When James nodded yes Sirius said, "Well then are you going to listen to my grand advice?"
"Yeah, but can you get your sweaty hands off my face, you're clogging all my pores," James slapped away Sirius' pore clogging hands.
Sirius pouted, his brow furrowing adorably, he lifted his hands to examine them closely, "I've been told that these are my best attribute."
"Oh come off it," James said, "You know that's your butt. I've heard it a hundred times."
"That is true," Sirius attempted to look behind him, turning around a few circles, "I just wish I could see it. I really want to know if it's true or if people are just saying that to make me feel better."
"That would be clever. Telling you that the only part of you that you can't see is the most attractive section of you." James pointed out as Evelyn rolled her eyes, becoming quite impatient. She was feeling more excited now that she could hear the music reverberating inside the house.
Sirius, however, was now looking truly distressed, "What are you trying to say, Prongs?"
"For goodness sake," Evelyn growled, "Sirius could you please impart your great advice on James so I can get my boogie on."
"Well, well, someone is being an impatient troll," James muttered.
"She's right though," Sirius commented, "I do have great advice." Sirius placed his hands on James' shoulders and said, "Lily Evans is not your average bird,"
"Tell me something I don't know," James mumbled causing Evelyn feeling uncomfortable again.
"Ignore Evans." Sirius stated firmly.
"What!" James exclaimed, "I can't do that. She'll think I don't like her and that's just rude! Mum always said that I should be polite and salad forks go-"
"I'm not saying that you shouldn't respond to her if she says hello, but I'm telling you that you should under no circumstances be the one to initiate conversation with her."
Evelyn rolled her eyes, "This is ridiculous, James, just be yourself and if she doesn't like the real you then get over it and find someone else."
Sirius and James both looked at her open-mouthed. "I told you she doesn't know anything," James finally said, "Tried for years to get her to put in a good word for me to Lily,"
Sirius shook his head, looking down at her in disappointment, "How could you say that to your own brother? Can't you see how fragile his heart is?" James nodded enthusiastically, "Why don't you go find Remus and Peter and leave the scheming to the professionals."
James shooed Evelyn away with his hand and she crossed her arms in defiance saying, "No bloody way am I moving from this spot. You two can't tell me what to do."
"Oh really?" Sirius winked at James and pulled out his wand and with a flick of his wrist Evelyn was floating toward the door, her arms still crossed in defiance.
"I didn't want to listen to you berks anyway!" She shouted over the music, "When you're done cuddling and fondling each other feel free to join the party!" With that she stormed into the house, annoyed that Sirius had forced her to walk in here alone even though he knew she was nervous about this party.
She was grateful when she realized that she knew nearly all of the people at the party. She instantly saw her fellow seventh year Gryffindors, Lily Evans, Marlene McKinnon, and Alice Prewett dancing in a large group of girls. Evelyn walked over there and was greeted with enthusiastic shrieks as she hugged her friends, immediately feeling comfortable and glad that she had come.
"Evie, I am so glad that you came! I sent a letter to Sirius telling him that he had to get you here no matter what!" Marlene said, smiling prettily, "I knew he would get you to come. No one can say no to that boy."
Evelyn smiled, shrugging in what she hoped was a nonchalant way, "James thought it would be fun if we all came."
"Evie," Lily yelled over the music, "You're coming over after the party to my house and you're going to spend the night!"
Evelyn laughed, "Since you asked so nicely," Lily smiled at her happily and the four girls began dancing again. Evelyn felt comfortable, grateful to be surrounded by her friends again. She saw many of her friends from other houses including Greg Abbott- the rosy-cheeked Hufflepuff who was always running into things, Bertram Aubrey- an arrogant boy often mocked because of his red hair and pale complexion, Edgar Bones- an intelligent and rather serious boy, and Bertha Jorkins- who was giggling and flirting with a group of boys in the corner of the room. Evelyn was shaking her head to the beat when it ended and slower paced song came on. All of a sudden everyone around her was pairing up. James had reached his hand out to Emmeline Vance, a pretty Ravenclaw, while Lily danced with Alice's cousin Fabien. Alice danced with her long time boyfriend Frank, Remus and Dorcas Meadows were together near them. Marlene had somehow gravitated towards Sirius and was dancing closely with him. Feeling uncomfortably warm all of a sudden, Evelyn began to back away, heading towards the door hoping to get some fresh air.
She turned around and saw Peter smiling at her, asking her to dance by holding out his hands to her and swaying off beat to the music. She laughed and put her arms on his shoulders. Peter pulled her close and they swayed to the song.
"Are you having a good time?" He asked, having to put his mouth close to her ear so she could hear.
She smiled at him and nodded yes, looking over Peter's shoulder to see Sirius and Marlene move even closer. They danced the rest of the song in silence and then Peter asked if she wanted to dance again when a faster song came on. She replied that she was thirsty so he walked with her to get some butterbeer. Evelyn gulped the liquid quickly, leaving Peter behind to dance with Lily, Alice, and a red-faced Marlene for the rest of the night. As the night turned into early morning, Lily suggested that the group head back to her house.
Evelyn agreed and when she told James, who was still dancing heartily, where she was going and he looked at her with envy as Sirius said, "Will you steal some of her knickers for this poor lad?"
"Of course not. That's ridiculous James and Lily aren't even the same size," Evelyn pointed out.
"Oh, good one," James retorted bitterly.
"Really brill," Remus said, crossing his arms.
"Clever as always," Sirius retorted sarcastically.
"Not even a little funny," said Peter.
Evelyn glared at the group, "I hate when you all gang up on me like this," When they didn't respond she rolled her eyes, "Fine, be that way. James if mother and father notice I'm gone please do me a favor and tell them I was stolen by goblins,"
"Oh they won't notice. You didn't hear my big news?" Evelyn turned back around, becoming increasingly annoyed, "I made Head Boy!" Evelyn turned away from the boys and walked away, jealousy written all over her face, "Gee," James said, "You'd think she wasn't happy for me or something,"
Head Boy? James had enough influence over the students of Hogwarts just being his regular charismatic self. It was hard enough being the sister of James Potter-prankster extraordinaire- but now she would be known as the sister of the Head Boy. Even first years would know who James was, yet many of the seventh years still thought that James was an only child. When Evelyn caught up with Lily, Marlene, and Alice she was grateful for a girl's night where she could relax and not have to think about stupid boys. The gang walked over towards the large brick fireplace. As none of the girls had turned seventeen yet they used floo powder to travel to the Evans' house.
"Welcome to my humble abode." Lily said as Evelyn stepped out of the fireplace, feeling as if she were a professional floo powderer. It was a clean and small house. She had been here numerous times before this and was grateful that they were spending the night here one last time before the end of summer. "I'll run and grab some pillows and blankets." Lily said as she jogged up a set of stairs leading to where the three bedrooms of her house was located.
Marlene sighed contentedly as she collapsed onto a chair. Alice and Evelyn were already making themselves at home on the couch, Alice laying her tired head on Evie's shoulder. "This was a great night," Marlene sighed.
"You looked pretty cozy with Sirius," Alice said as Lily jumped down the stair with a load blankets and the girls began to fight over who got which blankets. Evelyn ended up with the leftovers, not wanting to fight for the best ones.
Once the girls had set up their makeshift beds, Marlene brought up the subject of Sirius again, "Well, you guys all know that we broke up at the end of the year, but we promised to stay friends. We've been owling each other all summer. But I think it's all just friendly."
"Very friendly," Evelyn winked, trying to appear impartial.
The girls laughed and Marlene looking hopeful said, "Do all of you really think that Sirius might still have feelings for me? You guys remember how devastated I was when he broke up with me."
"I think he does." Alice said firmly.
Lily glanced at Evelyn who made a noise of consent and was nodding her head, not trusting her voice. Lily said, "I think Sirius doesn't know what he wants yet. He is a bit of a moron. Honestly, Marlene, I don't think he feels about you the same way you feel about him," Marlene looked downcast as Lily continued, "Marley, I am just saying this for your own good. I just want to be honest with you so you don't get hurt by him later on," Lily looked pointedly at Evelyn as she said this, "Sirius Black is not worth your time and not deserving of your attention. There are so many better guys out there who will treat you with the respect you deserve!"
Evelyn looked at her hands wondering if somehow Lily knew that she, Evelyn, was in love with Sirius Black. Evelyn had not thought it was obvious, but perhaps it was. Lily was certainly a clever woman and it wouldn't surprise Evelyn if all her glances at Sirius hadn't gone unnoticed by Lily Evans.
"I'm sick of boys," Lily said, sighing as she flopped onto her pillow, "I swear I will never be married. I am going to take a vow of abstinence and stay a virgin all my life."
Marlene gagged slightly, "No way, Lils, that's practically impossible!"
"For you," Evelyn pointed out, "Considering you lost that chance about three years ago."
"Sexual freedom is like nothing you will ever know. Which is another reason why I shouldn't be with Sirius. Did you guys know that he is still a virgin?"
"No way!" Alice gasped.
"Hang on," Lily said quickly, "I don't think we should be talking about this. He probably told you that under intimate circumstances and would probably not be alright with you talking about it with us,"
"Agreed," Evelyn nodded, remembering the day that Sirius had told her that he was not going to have sex until he was married. He had never told her why, but she had found it increased her attraction to him. Evelyn was thoroughly aware of how ironic that was.
"You think you know Sirius better than I do?" Marlene asked looking pointedly at Evelyn.
"No…I…I really didn't mean anything by it I was just-" Evelyn stuttered.
Lily interject, "Yeah, she probably does. Sirius and her have been friends for ages and he is like a brother to Potter…the male Potter, not you Evelyn,"
"You're right," Marlene consented, "Sirius does think of Evelyn as a sister,"
"You-"
"What about your vacations? Where did you guys go?" Evelyn interjected quickly before a fight started. She had seen the blazing look in Lily's eyes directed at Marlene and knew it meant trouble. Besides, Evelyn couldn't help but think that Marlene was right. She listened to the girls discuss their different vacations and tried desperately not to think of how wonderful it had felt being so near to Sirius on the motorbike. And Evelyn fell asleep she guiltily hoped that the dance Sirius and Marlene shared was not the mark of the beginning another chance at their relationship.