As she walked through her neighborhood, enjoying an unusually clear summer day, Evelyn resisted the urge to smack herself on the head for she should have known it was coming. Should have seen that nothing good would ever come from liking Sirius Black. Just as she had dreaded, Sirius and Marlene were dating again within two days of the party. Evelyn had hoped that it had just been the effects of the butterbeer that had caused them to act so cozy together, but it appeared that they truly enjoyed each other's presence. This meant that Sirius spent a lot more time with Marlene and a lot less with James, Peter, Remus, and Evelyn. Although this fact highly disappointed her she reasoned with herself that it was probably better for her in the long run. Though she often let herself believe that Sirius would one day fall in love with her, if she used her brain (which she did on occasion) she had to believe that it was impossible. Evelyn simply was not his type of girl and he did seem truly happy with Marlene. So Evelyn would simply have to learn to live with it.

Besides, Evelyn decided as she waved politely to a couple walking their dog, she had convinced herself she had more pressing matters to deal with. Her parents were growing older and she knew that there was only so much time she would have left to spend with them. That was why, she knew, they had been leaving the house so often. Her father felt that he would like to travel as much of the world as possible until he became too weak to leave the house. Her parents had been doing this for the past two years and would spend her last year at Hogwarts visiting South America.

Evelyn bitterly thought that they might perhaps wish to spend some time with her and James before they left them. She couldn't even imagine life without them. It physically caused her pain just to think about her life without them. Despite being absent for portions of her childhood Evelyn loved her parents dearly. They were kind to her and never laid a hand on her or raised their voices at her. She, as most children do, was certain that she was the least loved child. Her parents would make time to visit Hogwarts for James' Quidditch matches and often ignore their daughter while they basked in the glory of their talented son. James had always been better at magic than Evelyn, who had not displayed signs of being a witch until the age of eight, when she fixed a lamp James had accidentally broken. Evelyn was always comparing herself to her brother and never living up to the standard he set of perfection. It did not help that he knew how good he was either. Though he had not recently mocked her, he had been known in his younger years to call Evelyn a squib and wonder aloud whether or not she had been adopted. He had stopped saying these hurtful words perhaps because he had grown up but more likely because Evelyn had become quite proficient at the bat-boogey hex.

Certain that the weeping willow she was admiring was also mocking her current pitying state, Evelyn reasoned that she would focus on writing letters to her parents and trying to enjoy her last year at Hogwarts. She was determined to make sure that this was the best year yet. Although it would be tough to beat the year she first became friends with Sirius and she was often invited to late night adventures to the kitchens with the Marauders. Evelyn shook her head slightly thinking that it would be very difficult to not think of Sirius when her best memories tended to involve him in some way or another. Not to mention the fact that he was soon to be arriving in her home again after spending the day shopping with Marlene.

Evelyn grimaced wondering how it was that Sirius could possibly be attracted to such a girl. She couldn't imagine what it was they discussed on dates or had in common at all. As Evelyn turned to walk along the street that led to her house she noticed a tall blonde boy in the yard hitting a round ball with his feet. To Evelyn, he appeared to be dancing and she was quite perplexed by his movements, assuming that he must be partaking in some sort of muggle activity. When he looked up at her she blushed profusely, embarrassed to be caught staring. But the boy didn't seem angry, he smiled at her and waved. Confused, she waved back half-heartedly.

"Evelyn, right? Evelyn Potter?" He said as he walked towards her, "It's me John McSweeney, we played together sometimes when we were younger? I don't know if you remember…It was years before you went away to that boarding school."

Evelyn smiled at him as she recalled the chubby boy he had once been. He certainly looked different, "Of course I remember you!"

"Yes well I don't know if I can ever forget the girl who got everyone in the neighborhood calling me Latrine." Evelyn blushed and shrugged innocently as he smiled at her in a friendly manner, "I guess I deserved it for always bugging you and asking you to marry me."

"Well you know, I was quite the charmer when I was younger. All the neighborhood boys wanted me," She jokingly tossed her hair behind her shoulder in an arrogant way and said, "Trust me you weren't my only offer,"

John smiled sweetly, "Do you still get a lot of offers?"

Evelyn nearly gagged on the honey that coated his words as she suddenly realized he was flirting with her. "On occasion," She replied flatly, "Unfortunately I still seem to only be able to attract ten year old neighborhood boys,"

"I have been told that I am a ten-year-old at heart," John said, grinning handsomely down at her as she resisted the urge to roll her eyes, he was really laying it on thick.

"Yes well I only date hearts my age…I really must be off now. Mum expected me home ages ago…I'd hate for her to get worried. You know how mums can get…it was nice seeing you again!"

She turned and began walking away when he ran up beside her, "Let me walk you home!" He said enthusiastically.

"Uh, ok." She mumbled, wondering how he didn't pick up on her obvious desire to get away from him.

They walked in silence until they reached her driveway at which point John stepped in front of her and quickly said, "I'm really sorry."

"Huh?" Evelyn muttered, crossing her arms in front of herself and raising one eyebrow. She was honestly confused.

"I didn't mean to…I feel as if you're a bit annoyed with me…" He looked rather flustered and his cheeks were turning red, "It's just that…I liked you quite a bit when I was younger….it all kind of came back to me when I saw you. I am really sorry if I came of a bit….uh…"

"Douche-baggish?" Evelyn offered.

"Yeah, exactly." John said, offering the first true smile Evelyn had seen from him, causing his face to light up quite handsomely, "I guess what I'm trying to say is… would you like to get some coffee sometime or something? Maybe get dinner or something? I don't know. We could reminisce on childhood…life. Or something. Maybe…look at ponies?"

Evelyn smiled as she held in a laugh, "Yeah. That would be fun….or something."

John laughed, his face turning a brighter shade of red, "Are you free tomorrow night?" Evelyn nodded and when he smiled her stomach fluttered, "Wonderful. I'll pick you up at six?"

"Yes, six is actually my favorite time to be picked up at,"

He laughed one last time then gave her a hug so fast she hardly saw it coming, "See you tomorrow!" He called after her as she opened the door to her house. She couldn't believe she had a date with a muggle let alone Latrine the boy who had been the victim of all James' pranks before Hogwarts.

"Who was that?" James, who had been looking out the window, demanded.

"An old friend." Evelyn replied, giving James a look that dared him to press on further.

James frowned at her, "An old muggle friend by the looks of him. It's not that boy you accidentally set on fire is it?"

"No, of course not, it was John. John McSweeney."

After a moments of stunned silence, James roared with laughter, "Latrine! Queen Latrine! Oh this is too great! Why don't you just transform a cup into a rat and date that!"

"Hey now," Said Peter as he walked into the room, "To some rats are a majestic creature."

"And to some they are a delicious meal." Sirius said as he followed in behind him, Evelyn's stomach flopped when she met his eyes.

"Who is dating a rat?" Remus questioned.

"No one" -"Evelyn." Said Evelyn and James at the same time.

"I'm confused." Peter said rubbing his head and looking from James to Evelyn who were glaring daggers at each other.

"James thinks that the boy I am not dating but only getting dinner with tomorrow isn't good enough for me." Evelyn said angrily.

"Oh, no it's not that," James smirked, "You guys definitely deserve each other. Latrine the Queen and Veensey the Weensy!"

"Who are you getting dinner with?" Peter asked loudly over James who had begun a taunting stomp and song.

Evelyn replied, "Just an old friend from the neighborhood. I saw him on my walk and we were talking and he wants to reconnect or something I guess."

Sirius raised his eyebrows, "Reconnect eh? James, I think your sister is being played."

"Oh yeah she definitely is," James replied, stepping to stand next to Peter so that the four boys were blocking her view.

"What do you mean? How am I getting played? It's just a dinner," Evelyn reasoned.

"I have been on plenty of 'just dinners.'" James scoffed, "Don't be so naïve. He just wants to get in your skirt."

"I'm not wearing a skirt." Evelyn replied.

James dryly retorted, "He's obviously not attracted to your wit. And it certainly isn't your stunning personality. He is clearly looking for a summer fling."

"I agree. He wants your bod." Peter added.

"No he doesn't. He just wants to reconnect." Evelyn insisted.

"Reconnect?" Sirius raised his eyebrows in suspicious, "How did he act when you first met him?"

"Like a blighter."

"And then he apologized and pretended to act all nervous?" Sirius suggested.

"He wasn't preten-"

"Yes he was. It's a classic move. I use it all the time on idiotic girls I know will fall for it." Sirius explained.

"So you're saying I'm an idiot?" Evelyn shrieked, outraged.

Sirius looking affronted replied, "No, I am saying you were an idiot when you fell for the oldest trick in the book!"

"Just because you are a sleazy scoundrel who will do anything to get a girl doesn't mean that all men are!" Evelyn growled.

Sirius glared fiercely at her as the others looked on uncomfortably, "I'm sleazy? I'm not the one going out with someone I met on the street!"

"Oh yes because Princess Marlene is such a step up from street trash,"

"Don't talk about my girlfriend like that," Sirius barked.

"You can't tell me what to do," Evelyn replied, "This is my house and I can say whatever I want to in it. See watch. SIRIUS BLACK IS DATING A PART-TIME PROSTITUTE!" Evelyn yelled, fully aware of the immaturity of the act.

"Evelyn, shut up," James said, pushing her so her back hit against the wall, "Why do you have to be such an idiot."

"Don't touch me," She said as she pushed his hands off her shoulders. "I'm sick of this. Why can't I ever get a rest from you guys?" She became even more angry as she blinked back tears of rage, "Why is it so hard to believe that a guy actually wants to date me for my wit or my personality or God forbid my looks! No of course not. He just wants me for my vagina! It doesn't matter who or what I am so long as he gets some sex, right?" Peter nodded at her. That was the last straw. She pushed through the gang of boys and stormed up to her room. As she locked her door behind her she heard Remus say, "Girls are crazy."