Halloween rolled around soon enough, and, in the spirit of varying the events, Dumbledore decided to embrace the Muggle tradition of 'fancy dress.' A party would be held in the Great Hall to mark the event, and anything went costume-wise. Evangeline found herself once again waiting for Ron to ask her to go with him, in the back of her mind, she knew it was foolish, but she couldn't help the hope in her chest that he might just pluck up the courage to ask her. By October the 30th, that hope had faded.
"What exactly are you going to go as?" She asked Hermione during a particularly uneventful Care of Magical Creatures lesson.
"Oh, I don't know," she sighed, shading in her sketch, "a cat?"
"Very inventive." Evangeline chuckled, hugging her robes closer to her against the cold. "I was thinking of going as a pirate."
Hermione laughed at this.
"What? What else could I be?" She asked, smiling, "dressing up as a witch seems a bit redundant." The two laughed again.
"So, uh, who are you going to go with?" Hermione lowered her voice to a whisper, glancing over at Harry and Ron who were sitting a little way away from them in the grass.
"I don't bloody know, nobody's asked me." She replied, casting a look at Ron, whom she hoped couldn't hear.
"Well that's not true, at least three people have." Hermione countered, "You mean Ron hasn't asked you."
Evangeline went a little pink.
"You know me too well."
"Yes, I do." Hermione smiled, pleased with herself. "Look, you turned down that Michael boy, and he obviously fancies you, and you can't deny that he's attractive."
"I know he's attractive Herms." She said, erasing a mistake on her paper with a flick of her wand. "I just- I-" She swallowed, casting another look at Ron. "I can't bring myself to like anyone else Hermione." She said. It felt odd to get it off her chest, she'd never actually said it out loud before. Hermione looked at her sympathetically, and tapped her hand.
"Look, the next person that asks me to the party, I'll go with them. I promise." She assured her, knowing what a worrier Hermione was.
"What do you reckon they're talking about?" Ron asked Harry quietly, looking over at the Evangeline and Hermione, who appeared to be deep in conversation. Harry shrugged, lazily drawing lines on his sketch.
"Girl stuff."
Ron nodded and looked at them consideringly.
"Are you going to ask her to the party then?" Harry asked Ron. Ron looked up quickly.
"No." He said immediately. "I mean, it's not like she'd say yes is it?"
Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes at the obliviousness of his best friend.
"I think she would." Harry shrugged again.
"Really?" Ron looked at him quickly.
"Yeah, you should go for it." Harry casually, although hoping greatly that he would just do it; it was about time that he made a move. Ron looked over at Evangeline just as she laughed at something Hermione had said, and tucked some hair behind one ear.
"Fine." He nodded definitively. "I'll do it."
...
Evangeline sat in the common room that night, book open but un-read on her stomach as she sat bag comfortably in her favourite armchair by the fire. It was raining again outside, and the sound of the water sloshing against the glass was extremely relaxing. Baldrick was laying down by the fire, and she smiled at the steady breathing of her furry bundle of a pet.
"Fancy seeing you here." Fred flopped down on the couch, and put his long legs up.
"It's not like you to be so mischievous at this hour. I would've thought you'd be up in the dormitory planning." She replied with a smile, setting her book down on the coffee table.
"A man needs a break Evey." He rubbed his face, "I actually came to talk to you."
"Oh?" She sat forward expectantly.
"Was wondering who was accompanying you to the party tomorrow."
"No one," she tiredly smiled, "I'm stagging it."
Fred laughed a little. "Fancy being my date for the evening? Angelina's going to get in some extra Quidditch Practice while the pitch is empty, as usual." He said, an uncharacteristic hint of bitterness in his voice.
"I'd love to," she replied, "least I know you'll be keeping your hands to yourself." She chuckled.
"Not making any promises Evey."
A cushion promptly collided with his face.
...
The next morning marked Halloween for the castle. The Great Hall had been decorated with the usual live bats, Hagrid's vast pumpkins had been carved into lanterns large enough for three men to sit in, and there were rumors that Dumbledore had booked a troupe of dancing skeletons for the entertainment.
Evangeline dressed herself lazily in a pair of jeans and t-shirt before looking over her chosen costume. It was silly, but so was the tradition of dressing up. She was glad that Fred had asked her, if everyone was going in pairs (Harry and Hermione had decided to go together), she didn't want to show up alone.
"What are you playing at?" Ron demanded of Fred over breakfast. "I was going to ask her."
"Well you took your bloody time then, the party's tonight." Fred defended, buttering some toast. "Why are you so pissed off anyway?"
Ron went pink. "I- I'm not."
"You definitely are." George countered.
"And anyway, I'm only taking her as a friend, I promise I won't get her falling over drunk so that I can eventually carry her back to my dormitory and have my way with her all through the night." He said, casting a cheeky grin at his twin, knowing how much he was winding up his younger brother.
Ron flushed even pinker, ears getting hot from annoyance, the thought of Fred and Evangeline just... He wouldn't allow himself to think about it.
Evangeline arrived at breakfast soon after, faded Chudley Canons t-shirt on and threadbare jeans hugging her legs and bottom.
"Oh hello darling." Fred said brightly, sending a glance at his frustrated looking younger brother as she sat down beside him, and he budged a little closer. "Tea?" He held up the pot.
"Yes please." She replied with a yawn, and Fred promptly poured her a mug.
"You're looking dazzling this morning, Evey." He commented, keeping one eye on Ron as he spoke. "Your hair's like sunshine."
Evangeline chuckled and shook her head.
"What are you trying to pull Weasley?" She questioned, eyebrow arched.
"I'm just buttering up my date for this evening." He shrugged, "Is that so bad?"
"I guess not..." Evangeline frowned in slight confusion, and took a sip of her tea.
...
The rest of the day was spent waiting for the party to roll around, and soon enough, Hermione and Evangeline were preparing their makeup in the girl's dormitory. Hermione had decided on a black pair of skinny jeans and jumper, her nose painted black and whiskers on her cheeks. She was a little above dressing up too much.
Evangeline had gone for a rather short, silky white dress, with feathers lining the chest and hem, and a pair of wings on her back.
"You look great," Hermione said, as Evangeline put on a pair of sparkly heeled pumps.
"Not too chesty?" Evangeline stood next to Lavender (whom was dressed up like a cowgirl), in the full-length mirror, and patted her ample cleavage.
"You look chesty in anything." Parvati scoffed, fixing the fluffy-ears headband on Hermione's head. Evangeline frowned, the other girls either laughed or made noises of jealousy.
"Right, are we ready?" Evangeline fluffed her curls, and turned to Hermione, who smiled and nodded. "Then let's partay."
The girls made their way out of the dormitory, the common room and tower, and headed downstairs to the Great Hall. All the walls were decorated with orange and black streamers, and plastic spiders had been enchanted to glow and scale the walls. 'Ron'll love that,' Evangeline thought with a smirk. They could hear the music coming from the hall as they arrived at the doors, and the chatter of the costumed students inside.
Evangeline spotted Fred, plastic head on his shoulder which would grin or wink at people walking by. Evangeline chuckled and walked over to him while Hermione joined Harry, whom had neglected to dress up.
"I like it." She said, kissing the cheek of the plastic head.
"Why thank you." He grinned, and looked her up and down. "And you, my dear look..." He held her hand and spun her round. "Angelic." Evangeline giggled and took the arm the he offered before the pair headed into the Great Hall, where the tables had been pushed aside to create a dance floor. The enchanted ceiling was starry and black, and the moon large and white, a band played at the head of the hall where the teachers would be, music appropriately spooky. Chatter and movement was all around the hall, students danced, laughed and ate, and Evangeline had to laugh at some people's costumes.
"Care for a dance, m'dear?" Fred offered, giving her a slight bow.
"Of course, sir." Evangeline curtsied, and took his hand.
Fred was not at all a subtle dancer. He led them both up and down the floor, spinning and lifting her, and assuring that anyone in the way would be out of the way soon enough. Evangeline had fallen into fits of laughter by the time the music stopped, and felt positively breathless by the time they went to get a drink.
"You certainly know your way around a dance floor." She said, smiling, and took a long sip of her pumpkin juice.
"Why thank you." He gave a slight nod of his head, and sipped his pumpkin juice. The two continued with conversation, until Evangeline noticed him looking distractedly over her shoulder. She turned around to see what he was looking at, and saw Angelina Johnson standing in the doorway, Quidditch gear still on.
"Go and dance with her." Evangeline laughed at his reluctance.
"Are you sure Evey? I came with you..." He said uncertainly, although obviously eager to join her.
"Don't be stupid Fred, go on, I'm fine." She gave him a quick hug. "Go on." She urged.
"Thanks Evey." He grinned, before heading for Angelina. Evangeline chuckled as she watched him go, and continued her pumpkin juice, looking out over the dancing people happily.
Ron stood across the room, he'd gone as far as changing into a comfortable jumper and jeans for his costume, much like everyone else. He spotted her straight away standing alone and drinking a goblet of pumpkin juice. Her cheeks were slightly pink from dancing, her hair a little bigger than usual. The dress she wore hugged her lovely figure perfectly, and showed off her shapely legs. Ron couldn't help but feel his breath be slightly taken by the way she looked, the way she dressed like an angel seemed to create a glow around her, the wings on her back and the virginal white she wore suiting her perfectly.
He cleared his throat, and headed toward her, determination glinting in his eye. 'I will ask her to dance.'
He stopped short however, when he was cut off by a certain curly-headed Scottish Ravenclaw.
"Hi Michael," Evangeline smiled, "pumpkin juice?" She offered, holding up the ladle in the punchbowl.
"Please." He smiled back and watched as she leaned forward slightly, curvy body stretching in her dress as she filled his goblet. She handed him his drink, and their fingers touched, making her go slightly pink, ashamedly.
"Like your costume," she said, trying to make conversation, and looking over his knight's armor.
"I rather like it myself." He said, tapping his chest.
"Well it's very becoming." She chuckled.
"Don't suppose you fancy a dance?" He raised his thick eyebrows and offered her his hand.
"I'd love to." She smiled and took it. In honesty, she'd rather have just had something to eat and drink, but when an attractive boy offers to dance, she wasn't going to decline. Even if it wasn't the boy she wanted.
Michael had picked his moment well, the band at that moment was playing a rather slow number, which gave him permission to put his hands on her waist, while she draped her arms over his shoulders. He rather liked the position.
Ron didn't.
The red-head crossed the room with his hands deep in his pockets, and leaned on the wall beside Neville, frowning.
"You do look lovely tonight, Evangeline." Michael said quietly, so that his breath blew across her face. She blushed somewhat at the compliment.
"Thank you." She replied, not really knowing what else to say.
"A boy would be very lucky to have you." He continued, and Evangeline felt an odd feeling in her stomach. As usual, Hermione was right, Michael did clearly fancy her. But the way he was talking suggested that he wanted a relationship, she didn't want that. Not with him anyway.
But then again, she couldn't wait for Ron to feel the same way forever.
"I was wondering if I might see you again..." He moved a little closer so that their bodies were pressed together, and she distinctly felt his hands slip down her back somewhat, so that they rested just above her bottom. Maybe the dress had been a mistake. "Just me and you."
Michael could feel the heat of her under his palms through her dress, and the softness of its material, her body pressed tightly against him now, and he was sure she was doing it on purpose just to make him want her more. He felt his eyes glaze slightly as he looked down at her, and was aware of her breath on his neck as they danced. Her perfume smelled sweet.
"Well, why not?" She replied, slightly uncertain but not letting it show in her voice.
"That sounds good." He whispered in her ear, so that his hot breath blew across her skin. He felt her shiver, and her fingers rub the hair at the nape of his neck slightly. His experience with girls told him that she would react like that.
As the music turned faster, their movements sped up slightly, making each touch of their clothes a little more frustrating for him.
Just as Evangeline became aware of her heart throwing itself against her ribcage from her nervousness and their proximity, she caught sight of Ron over Michael's silver covered shoulder. His face looked stony, his eyes upset. She frowned, suddenly far more aware of where she was and what she was doing.
"Uh..." She pulled away from Michael and cleared her throat. "I'll have to see you later, something's come up." She tried a smile, before walking away from the crowd, and heading over to where Ron had been a second before. But he had gone, and she caught sight of his bright hair as he stormed out of the hall, and seemed to head for the Grand Staircase.
Evangeline broke into a slight jog to catch up to him, no easy feat in heels, as she kept one hand on her chest to preserve some modesty.
"Ron!" She called after him, as he headed up the second flight of stairs. He stopped, and she moved to his side, slightly breathless. "What's wrong?" She asked, and put a hand on his arm.
"Nothing," he snapped, "I'm fine." He moved his arm away, and continued up the stairs.
"Well you don't sound bloody fine." She said; eyebrows knitted together in worry. She purposefully followed him, having to jog up the stairs to keep up with his long strides.
"No, I am... You go back to your friend." His voice took on a tone of bitterness as he continued to stamp up the stairs. Evangeline felt herself begin to feel upset. 'What have I done?'
"So what if I do? Do you not like him or something?" Her voice was raised slightly now as they arrived at Gryffindor Tower.
"You certainly do..." He grumbled, still walking ahead of her.
"And that is a problem because...?" She raised her eyebrow, and snapped the password at the Fat Lady before they entered.
Ron didn't answer he just carried on storming across the common room and toward the boys dormitories. Evangeline didn't relent though, and followed him up the stairs. "Well?" She questioned, pulling off her dreaded heels halfway up the stairs before padding up the cold stone.
"It's not a problem, I just didn't think you were like that."
Evangeline felt slightly winded, and dropped her shoes haphazardly on the floor.
"Like what?" She crossed her arms.
Ron turned to look at her now, angrier than he knew he should've been, but unable to cap his jealousy at that moment.
"He had his hands all over you, didn't he?"
"No, actually, he didn't." She replied, getting gradually more annoyed and upset. "And even if he did, why should that bother you? You're not my dad, you're not my boyfriend."
"Well I-" Ron was about to say, 'well I should be,' before his inhibitions got the better of him.
There was a slight pause in which Evangeline waited for him to say something for himself.
"I just can't believe that you would act like that to someone you just met." He sat down heavily on his bed, scowling.
"Oh whatever then Ron," she said angrily, "I don't know what's come over you but if you think I'm such a tart then maybe you shouldn't give such a shit about who I talk to! I can't believe you sometimes, I followed you up here to make sure you were alright and you just talk to me like I'm some fucking harlot who'll just sleep with a boy she's known for a few weeks!" She went off at him, and the more she spoke, the worse he felt. "If you don't like other boys touching me, then here's an idea, DO IT YOURSELF!" With that, she snatched up her shoes and stormed out of the dormitory, slamming the door behind her.
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