Chapter Thirty

He's so sure of himself,
You can tell by the way he talks,
Straight as an arrow,
Struttin' like a bigshot when he walks.

CAREERS ADVICE

All fifth years are to attend a short meeting with their Head of House during the first week of the summer term to discuss their future careers. Time of individual appointments are listed below.

'James, you're at two o'clock this afternoon. Not tomorrow,' Evangeline informed him as she scanned down the list of names. She broke a piece off her Easter egg and stuffed it in her mouth. 'You're straight after me,' she said, looking over her shoulder at her older brother. 'Does anyone know what we're in this afternoon anyway?' she asked anyone who would listen.

'Potions,' Remus answered her as he picked up a leaflet 'Make a Bang at the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes' and began to examine it.

Evangeline's expression brightened, 'Aha! Score!' she said, hi-fiving James.

'Aw, that means your leaving me,' Sirius frowned and stuck his bottom lip out. 'I'm going to have to suffer Slughorn alone now,' he said gruffly as he fumbled through the leaflets on the desk.

Evangeline grabbed him around the waist from behind and hugged him. 'No you won't. I'll only be half an hour,' she said, kissing the side of his neck and releasing him from the hug. She moved beside him and began to look at the leaflets. 'And anyway, Slughorn likes you,' she said, deliberately bumping her side into him She winked and walked over to the sitting area, her Easter egg in her hand. Sirius rolled his eyes and shook his head incredulously before turning his attention back to the leaflets on the desk.

'Don't you want to look at any of these?' Sirius asked her, holding up a leaflet.

'I don't really want to train security trolls, Sirius,' Evangeline said, nodding at the leaflet he was showing to her.

'It's a possibility,' Sirius said with a shrug.

'Yeah. If I fail all of my OWL's and NEWT's,' Evangeline said, sitting down beside Lily on the sofa.

'Which is unlikely,' Remus added.

'Thanks, Remy,' Evangeline said, before eating the last piece of her Easter egg. 'I already know what I want to do anyway. Auror is the only job for me, thank you very much,' she said, crumpling up the wrapper and tossing it at Sirius. It hit him on the back of the head. She giggled when he turned around and glared at her playfully. 'What?' she said innocently.

'You are the biggest child I've ever met,' Sirius said, shaking his head as he grabbed a few leaflets and began to walk over to the sitting area.

'Correction,' Remus said, looking up from the leaflet on banking in Gringotts, 'She is the biggest child you will ever meet.'

'Thanks Moonboy,' Evangeline said.

Remus sighed, 'Please stop calling me that.'

'No, that's my personal nickname for you,' Evangeline said, snuggling up to Sirius as he sat down beside her. 'And when you're older I'll change it to Moonman,' she said with a smile.

'Oh, that's so nice of you,' Remus said, rolling his eyes and turning his attention back to the leaflet he was holding.

'Put it this way, Moonboy,' Evangeline said. 'It's not half as bad as Furball,' she continued before glaring over at her brother who was immersed in a St. Mungo's leaflet. Evangeline furrowed her eyebrows, 'A Healer? I thought you wanted to be an Auror, James.'

James looked up from the leaflet, 'I do. I just wanted to see what you needed to be one,' he shrugged. 'Wait listen to this … this is what you need; at least an E at NEWT level in Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Defence Against the Darks Arts and Herbology. Flip, you'd need to be a genius!' he said, setting the leaflet down.

'Well, you can't blame them really. It's a very important job,' Evangeline said.

'Exactly,' Remus said. 'They can't just recruit people willy nilly. I mean, imagine if Padfoot got a job as a Healer. He – '

'Would look extremely sexy in those white coats they wear,' Evangeline interrupted him, grinning at the thought.

'I look sexy in anything I wear, Angel,' Sirius corrected her.

Remus rolled his eyes, 'Like I was saying before I got interrupted, and Padfoot's' head got bigger.' Sirius glanced warningly at him. 'He might not have the required results that would reflect on what he's actually like. Meaning he could do really well in Herbology … and not have actually done anything in class except stare longingly at the girl sitting in front of him –'

'That's me!' Evangeline said.

'Or throw dragon dung at unsuspecting class members,' Remus finished.

'I didn't throw dung at anyone!' Sirius said, sitting up abruptly. ' – No wait, I did,' he said, sitting back down again and snapping his mouth shut, determined not to say anything more.

'That was you!' Evangeline and Lily said simultaneously, both of them glancing at Sirius.

Sirius winced, 'Uhh … maybe?' he said, glancing at the girls that were sitting next to him. Suddenly he blurted out, 'It wasn't just me! It was Prongs too!' He pointed at James who was sitting staring into the fire minding his own business.

James glanced at Sirius. 'You just had to tell them, didn't you?' he said, rolling his eyes.

'Well, I wasn't for taking all the blame,' Sirius shrugged before glancing at Evangeline and Lily who were glaring between James and himself. 'Not when two beautiful but angry women are glaring at me, anyway.'

'Well, that's just typical,' Lily said, getting up off the sofa. 'Trust Potter and Black. Honestly, I wish the pair of you would get your heads deflated and learn some manners,' she said, picking up her bag and swinging it over her shoulder. 'I don't know how you put up with it, Evie,' she looked at Evangeline who was smiling slightly. 'Anyway, I'll see you all in Potions … unfortunately,' she added glancing at James and Sirius before striding off out of the Common Room.

'I thought you said she had changed her opinion about me, Eva,' James said, watching the empty space where Lily had just walked out of before glancing at his sister. 'Clearly she hates me again,' he said bluntly.

'Well it's not my fault!' Evangeline said. 'You obviously did something to annoy her,' she said, as if it was no surprise. She narrowed her eyes, 'You didn't hex Snape again, did you? She's started hanging around with him a lot again.' She shuddered, 'Ooh, he gives me the creeps. There's just something about him, it's –'

'The greasy hair that you could fry chips in,' Sirius said.

'The hooked nose and spider-like appearance,' Remus added.

'Or the fact that the slimeball is up to his eyes in the Dark Arts,' James concluded.

Evangeline grimaced, 'All of them,' she said. 'But I can't see what Lily likes about him. I mean, I have spoken to him, he's not that horrible but he just seems to be some misfit of a kid that has no friends.'

'I wonder why?' James asked.

'The only reason you hate him and think he's the scum of the earth James, is because you're jealous of his relationship with Lily,' Evangeline said. 'And possibly the fact that he's a Slytherin who enjoys the Dark Arts as much as I enjoy being with Sirius. Which is a lot,' she added.

'Exactly! He's a Slytherin!' James said, loosing his cool.

'That's a stereotype, James. Not all Slytherins are like Bellatrix Black and Lucius Malfoy,' Evangeline said, narrowing her eyes angrily as she said their names. 'And before you start ranting on about how I'm defending him. I'm not. I'm just warning you that if you carry on treating him like that, Lily will never like you.' She glanced sideways and noticed Sirius grinning madly. 'And no, that doesn't mean you can carry on making his life hell just because I told James not to,' she said sternly.

'Okay, fine,' Sirius said with a sigh, his grin faded.

Remus coughed intentionally. 'Whipped,' he said almost inaudibly.

'Yeah, like you aren't either,' Sirius snapped back. 'Remember at James' and Angel's party? One glare from Izzy and you squealed like a pig!'

'I still can't believe you were jumping up and down on your bed naked,' Evangeline said, shaking her head. 'Even if you were pissed, that's still not an excuse.'

'I bet you would have loved to have been there,' Sirius winked, before kissing her gently and repeatedly on the neck. Evangeline coughed but attempted to hide it with a moan of pleasure. Sirius stopped kissing her neck. 'Was that cough indicating that you wouldn't have wanted to be there? Or are you coming on with a cold?' he said, putting his hand to her forehead and checking her temperature.

'Oh, my word! Look at the time,' Evangeline said, glancing at her wrist. She didn't have a watch. 'McGonagall will be wondering where I am,' she said, kissing Sirius quickly on the lips, jumping from the sofa, grabbing her bag and swinging it over her shoulder. 'You guys should get to Potions, it's almost half past,' she said, pointing at the clock above the fireplace. 'See ya!' she said as she ran out of the Common Room.

'She's mad,' James said, getting out of his armchair and stretching his arms.

'Tell me about it,' Sirius replied.

'Sorry I'm later, Professor!' Evangeline said as she burst through the door of the classroom. She walked briskly over to McGonagall's desk where she was seated, surrounded by a leaflets. She sat down on the chair provided and set her bag down beside her. 'I was a bit caught up,' Evangeline said with an apologetic smile.

Professor McGonagall looked up and blinked. 'So I see,' she said quietly as she surveyed the somewhat noticeable 'bruise' on Evangeline's neck. 'Now as you may already know, Potter,' she said, peeling her eyes away from Evangeline and shaking her head slightly. 'We are here to discuss which career path you should choose to follow and which subjects would be necessary for the profession you wish to train for once you graduate in seventh year,' McGonagall informed her. 'I have a slight feeling that there is not much point in asking you if you have had any thoughts about which career you would like to do once you leave. But I shall ask you anyhow.'

'An Auror,' Evangeline said confidently.

Professor McGonagall smiled slightly. 'Just as I had thought. I have a tenuous hunch that your brother might be the same, am I correct?'

'Yes, Professor,' Evangeline said. 'We've always wanted to be Aurors. It was something we grew up knowing about, you know. Dad being an Auror and everything,' she said with a little shrug.

'I see,' Professor McGonagall said, picking up a small black leaflet. 'To become an Auror requires top grades, Potter. They ask for a minimum of five NEWT's and nothing under 'Exceeds Expectations'. After that you undergo a demanding series of character and aptitude tests at the Auror office. No doubt your father has told you all about those, eh?'

Evangeline smiled. 'Yes. He has. He said they were very challenging, naturally. He told me that they are to see how you perform under pressure and how you defend yourself and the others around you,' she said, remembering back to when she was eleven years old and her father had just come back from work with a massive gash down his face. Yet he reassured her that he was fine and that he had just sent three Death Eaters to Azkaban. Every day he would tell her stories, and once she had made her mind up she wanted to be just like her daddy and bring peace to the world she kept asking him more and more questions.

'Precisely,' Professor McGonagall agreed. 'It's a tough job, Potter. And I'm sure you know that. It also requires severe dedication and hard work. But I have no uncertainty in my mind that this is the right job for you, you are an extremely capable witch. Now, do you have any idea of which subjects you should choose?' she asked.

'Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Potions and Charms,' Evangeline said. 'I was also thinking about taking on either Herbology or Arithmancy as well,' she said, glancing at Professor McGonagall for some reassurance.

'Well, you need five NEWT's but nothing says that you can't take six, Miss Potter,' McGonagall said. 'I have had students do it in the past, and I can reassure you it benefited them greatly. It may in the end be the decision maker between giving you or someone else a job. That other person may not have received as many NEWT's as yourself and therefore you end up getting it. But if it helps, Professor Sprout has given you grades of 'Acceptable' in the past two years and Professor Nugent has given you both 'Exceeds Expectations'. For Transfiguration, I do not accept anyone in my class who has not achieved 'Exceeds Expectations' or above and I have no incertitude that you will be in that class,' Professor McGonagall said, glancing at Evangeline over the top of her glasses. 'I must say your Transfiguration is superior to past fifth formers that I would have said where top in their year,' The smugness in her voice indicated she was happy that the best in the year was none other than a Gryffindor.

'Professor Montgomery has said that your Defence Against the Dark Arts is quite extraordinary. 'The Potters possess outstanding ability in the subject, but it seems they both get distracted by a certain Mr Black' is how he put it,' McGonagall raised her eyebrow and continued. 'He has graded you 'Outstanding' for the past two years,' she concluded. 'All of your results are fine, Miss Potter. Professor Slughorn has said that all you need is more confidence, yet he gave you an 'Outstanding' as your last grade. Professor Flitwick has applauded yourself and Miss Evans for being the only ones to accomplish handing in all your essays this year and has awarded you with an 'Outstanding' for two years running. Professor Grubbly-Plank has said that you have a certain fondness of not completing homework, yet still manage to come off with a perfect answer to any question she asks. Which is most bizarre, so she said to me. 'Exceeds Expectations' she has awarded you since third year. Astronomy seems to be acceptable, 'Exceeds Expectations' in the last two years. Your only downfall seems to be History of Magic and Divination, Potter. Professor Binns has graded you at 'Troll' and 'Poor'. Professor Trelawny has given you a 'Poor' and 'Acceptable',' Professor McGonagall glanced at Evangeline for what looked like an explanation.

'History of Magic is incredibly dull and boring and it's hard to concentrate when you're being taught by a ghost who doesn't even know your proper name. And it's sort of hard to determine someone's future when you gaze into a crystal ball and see nothing but fog, Professor,' Evangeline said, with a feeble smile. 'I normally end up telling Sirius that his future is uncertain or not to walk through fog or he might meet someone with shoulder length black hair and grey eyes.'

Professor McGonagall chuckled, 'Clearly you do not possess the 'Inner Eye', Miss Potter,' she said. 'Yes, I feel this has been a fairly constructive meeting, Potter. I must say you're not the only one who has thoughts of becoming an Auror. But it is very hard to be accepted by the Auror office, but not doubt with the links that you and your brother have that should be a little more simpler,' she said, with a small smile. 'I think that concludes our meeting today, Potter. You may return you your class.'

'Thank you, Professor,' Evangeline said, getting off her seat, grabbing her bag, swinging it over her shoulder and walking towards the door.

'… Oh, and send your brother to me, Potter,' McGonagall called after her as she opened the door.

_-_-_

June had arrived, of course this meant OWL's had come upon the fifth years. It was their last Transfiguration lesson before the examinations began the day after and Professor McGonagall had handed them out their timetables and was currently taking them through the procedure.

'Now as you will see, your OWL's will take place over two successive weeks. The theory exams will be in the morning while your practical examination will be in the afternoon. Naturally, your Astronomy practical will take place at night,' McGonagall said, glancing around the room.

'Now I must warn you,' Professor McGonagall continued, 'That the most stringent anti-cheating charms have been placed on your examination papers. Auto-answer Quills are banned from the examination hall – '

'Damn,' Sirius interrupted her.

Evangeline rolled her eyes. 'I bet you just did that for the attention,' she whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

'What if I did?' Sirius replied cheekily.

McGonagall continued as thought she had not been disrupted. 'As are Remembralls, Detachable Cribbing Cuffs and Self-Correcting Ink. Unfortunately, every year some students seem to think that they can outsmart the Wizarding Examinations Authority's rules … this however, is not the case. I do hope that no one in Gryffindor would even think about disobeying them. That goes for the rest of you as well,' she glanced around the room at the Ravenclaws. 'Anyone who is found to have disobeyed the rules will be punished.'

'Better watch out, Padfoot,' James said rather loudly.

'Thank you for that input, Mr Potter,' Professor McGonagall said, her nostrils flaring. 'Has anyone any questions?' she asked, searching around the room. Evangeline stuck her hand in the air. 'Yes, Potter?'

'When will we get our results?' Evangeline asked interestedly.

'An owl should be sent to you some time in July,' Professor McGonagall said.

Sirius grinned. 'Great, that means we can do absolutely nothing after the exams and not have to worry about the results for a month!' he said, leaning back casually in his chair, his arms behind his head. Evangeline saw Professor McGonagall rolling her eyes incredulously.

Their first examination the next day was Theory of Charms. Breakfast was quiet and subdued. Evangeline sat with her Standard Book of Spells propped up against the edge of her bowl. Her eyes blurred through the pages while every so often she lifted the spoon to her mouth. Lily was sitting opposite her doing the exact same, only at a much quicker speed. Remus was sitting beside Evangeline quietly explaining something to Izzy who was nodding and agreeing frequently. Peter was reading what looked like three years worth of charms notes, shaking his head irritatedly and sighing. James and Sirius had yet to make an appearance. Eventually they did, strolling down the aisle, not a book in their hand nor a couple of notes to read from. Sirius sat himself down beside Evangeline, kissing her on the cheek before reaching for the bacon that sat in front of him.

'No notes? No books?' Evangeline asked him, but not looking up from her Charms book in which she was deeply immersed.

'Nope, Sirius answered simply.

Evangeline smiled slightly. 'Good luck in your exam, honey,' she said, before beginning to mutter the incantations under her breath.

Once breakfast was over, the fifth years and seventh years waited in the Entrance Hall while the other students made their way to their classes. Once they had all dispersed, at half nine they were called back into the Great Hall. The four long tables had been replaced by many smaller tables facing the front. McGonagall stood at the front, she waited for them to be seated. Evangeline grabbed a desk in front of James and waited patiently. She frequently glanced down nervously at the Charms paper set on the desk in front of her.

Professor McGonagall glanced around the room, 'You may begin,' she said, turning over the giant hourglass on the desk beside her.

Evangeline flipped over the paper, she picked up her quill, dipped it into her ink and glanced down at the first question: a) Name the incantation for the colour change charm and b) describe the wand movement. Evangeline rolled her eyes, she was almost certain that James was smirking with glee behind her. He having used that charm on countless occasions to change any unsuspecting Slytherins hair red and gold. She sighed and began to scribble down the answer.

Less than two hours later, Evangeline sat up in her seat, set her quill down and sighed with relief. She looked over her answers once more, decided that she had completed each question to the major extent, even though she wasn't sure about one of the questions she had answered, she set it face down on the desk. She glanced around to her left, Sirius was lounging in his chair, chewing on the end of his quill. Remus was reading his answers, his eyebrows furrowed. Lily was still scribbling away, glancing up every so often at the hour glass that sat on the desk at the front. Izzy was looking bored and staring into space. Peter sat in the row beside her, he was scratching his head, a puzzled look etched on his face. Suddenly she was poked in the back, she glanced up at Professor McGonagall who wasn't looking and turned around to face James.

'Like the first question?' Evangeline whispered with a smirk.

James chuckled quietly, 'Loved it! How'd you think you did?'

'Alright I suppose, you?'

'I think I did rather well for not looking at a single book,' James replied. Evangeline rolled her eyes and turned around again to face the front.

'Quills down please,' Professor McGonagall barked from the front. The hourglass had ran out. 'Please remain in your seats while I collect your parchment. Accio!' About a hundred rolls of parchment zoomed through the air and into her outstretched arms.

Evangeline knew that was the signal to go, she glanced down at the paper once more before she stuffed the paper into the front pocket of her bright purple bag. She picked up her bag, swung it over her shoulder and followed James out of the Great Hall where they were met by Sirius, Izzy and Remus.

'Well? How'd you do?' Evangeline asked Sirius who had sneaked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Sirius nodded. 'Pretty well, actually. Just shows, you don't need books to pass an exam.' Evangeline chuckled. 'And what about you, my little bookworm?' he asked her, as they waited for the desks to be replaced by the four large house tables so that they could have lunch.

'Okay, I suppose. I messed something up though, I'm sure of it,' Evangeline said, furrowing her eyebrows trying to remember which question she had had trouble answering. 'Oh well, I can't go and correct it now,' she said with a shrug.

Sirius snorted. 'I'm pretty sure you didn't mess anything up, Angel. You're one of the smartest in our year. Heck, you probably are the smartest,' he said. 'Who cares if you messed up. Everyone does,' he said, trying to reassure her. 'Don't worry about it.'

'Thanks, Sirius,' Evangeline said, and kissed him appreciatively on the lips.

Once they were allowed into the Great Hall again, they sat down on their usual seats and grabbed something to eat. Evangeline had her wand in one hand, a sandwich in the other. She was muttering incantations under her breath and then practising the wand movement. At one point she accidentally said them at the same time, levitating Remus' sandwich out of his hand. Once lunch was over they were trooped into a small chamber just off the Great Hall to await being called for their practical examination. Small groups of students filed out of the room in alphabetical order, the others were left to practise incantations and spells that Professor Flitwick had mentioned in class that might be on the exam. Sirius had been one of the first people to complete their practical exam, shortly followed by Lily, Izzy, Remus and Peter.

Eventually Professor McGonagall called out, 'Parks, Michael – Perkins, Jane – Potter, Evangeline – Potter, James.'

Evangeline glanced nervously at James and they followed McGonagall into the Great Hall. 'Miss Potter, Professor Tofty is free,' she pointed to an old, balding wizard. 'Mr Potter, Professor Marchbanks,' she pointed to the witch at the very end of the room.

'Good luck,' Evangeline mouthed to James as she walked over to Professor Tofty.

Evangeline smiled feebly as she reached Professor Tofty who smiled a toothy grin. 'Potter, is it?' Evangeline nodded. 'Obviously Evangeline, not James, eh?' the old man chuckled. 'Now, no need to be nervous. Right, see this egg cup here … can you levitate it for me please.'

Evangeline pointed her wand at the small egg cup sitting on the desk. 'Wingardium Leviosa' she said and swished her wand before flicking it at the end of the incantation. She sighed in relief as her egg cup began to float in the air.

'Jolly good,' Professor Tofty said as he watched the egg cup float high above his head.

After gaining her confidence by doing well on the very first spell, Evangeline thought she did rather well. Her Colour Changing spell went better than she had expected and she managed to turn her rat yellow even though she had trouble remembering the wand movements. The Summoning Charm Professor Tofty had asked her to perform went perfectly and the dinner plate he was holding flew out of his hands and straight into Evangeline's.

'That's you I'm afraid, Miss Potter,' Professor Tofty said with a smile. 'Well done … ' he lowered his voice, ' … one of the best I've seen so far,' he said with a wink.

'Thank you, Professor,' Evangeline smiled and walked briskly out of the Great Hall.

Throughout the next week or so, Evangeline found that OWL's weren't as stressful as she thought they would be. The day after Charms came Transfiguration, an easy pass for Evangeline who hadn't even looked at a book. Things weren't so good for Izzy who accidentally managed to vanish her examiners hat instead of the rat sitting on the table. Herbology went … nonetheless disastrous for Evangeline. Even though she felt confident in the theory exam, the practical was a different kettle of fish. After wrestling Devils Snare and getting stung by a Poisoned Spineroot, she felt that if she received an Acceptable she would be extremely pleased. But things got substantially better when she heard that Bellatrix Black got attacked by a Fanged Geranium and was nearly strangled to death by the Devils Snare.

History of Magic was the most boring exam, by far. Not knowing any of the facts and figures Evangeline wrote what she called the 'biggest pile of shite ever' and spent half the exam throwing balls of parchment at some snotty Slytherin sitting in front of her. Care of Magical Creatures went considerably well. She managed to identify a Knarl in a basket of hedgehogs, touch a Hippogriff without getting ripped to shreds and tell Professor Tofty the cautions he must take when approaching a wand tree. Potions went better than what she had expected it to. She found the theory surprisingly simple and the practical was a walk in the park.

Divination was what Evangeline considered to be a laugh. She told Professor Marchbanks that she would be receiving an expensive gift in the near future, but she should be careful as the small plant in her front room might be Devils Snare rather than ivy. Professor Marchbanks smiled at her, causing Evangeline to burst out laughing at tell her that she was obviously no good at Divination. Only to find out that Marchbanks really had ivy sitting in her front room. Astronomy seemed to last longer than what Evangeline had expected. Maybe it was because she had finished the paper within the first hour and in the second hour sat drawing little pictures on the desk. The practical was amusing, she identified all the moons of Jupiter and eventually managed to find the Orion constellation after half an hour of trying to find it. Only before managing to accidentally knock over her telescope, causing a ridiculously loud noise.

One of her last exams was Arithmancy, Evangeline and Lily were the only Gryffindors doing it so that meant everyone else had a free day to revise for Defence Against the Dark Arts. They obviously didn't and the Marauders and Izzy went out and sat in the blistering sun. Evangeline felt that she did particularly well in the exam, hopefully managing to correctly calculate Professor Tofty's personality using his full name and the number chart.

The last exam was Defence Against the Dark Arts. Personally, Evangeline was looking forward to it. Once again, at half nine they were called into the Great Hall. Evangeline took her seat behind James, while Sirius managed to sneak into their row three desks behind Evangeline. Remus grabbed a desk two seats behind Sirius with Izzy sitting behind the desk next to him. Peter grabbed a desk two rows across and Lily had wandered off and got a seat near Snape.

Professor Flitwick stood at the front. 'You may begin,' he squeaked and once more but for the last time the hourglass was turned upside down.

Evangeline turned over the paper and read the first question. She grinned and began to scribble away on the parchment provided. After writing for nearly an hour she reached question ten. She stifled a laugh at how easy it was and began to write a word perfect answer. She made her way to the last page of the paper. James yawned loudly, Evangeline glanced up at him as he rumpled his hair. She shook her head and continued to write the answer to the last question.

'Five more minutes!'

Evangeline sighed and set down her quill, she picked up her parchment and held it close to her face so that she could reread what she had wrote. Satisfied with every answer she rolled up the parchment and set it down on her desk once more. She leant back in her chair and began to fiddle with her quill. Suddenly James turned around and grinned back. Evangeline sat up and glanced back at who he was signalling to. Sirius. She smiled and winked at him as he lounged in his chair, his hair falling casually into his face. He blew a kiss to her, she blushed and turned back around in her seat. James was watching her with his eyebrows raised, eventually he turned back around in his seat.

'Quills down, please,' Professor Flitwick squeaked. 'Yes, that means you too, Stebbins! Now please remain seated while I collect your rolls of parchment! Accio!'

Hundreds of rolls of parchment zoomed through the air and into his outstretched arms, knocking him over backwards off his feet. Evangeline laughed, so did several other people. A few people from the front rows, helped him to his feet again. Evangeline glanced around patiently. Lily was sitting a couple of seats behind Snape. His black eyes were scanning the room. She shuddered and turned to face the front again.

'Thank you … thank you,' Professor Flitwick panted as he got to his feet. 'Very well, you are all free to go!'

Evangeline jumped to her feet, stuffed the paper in her bag, and swung her bag over her shoulder. She walked down the aisle with James to where Sirius, Remus and Izzy were waiting. Evangeline kissed Sirius on the lips as he put his arm around her waist and they walked out of the Great Hall.

'Like question ten, Moony?' Sirius asked as they walked into the Entrance Hall.

Remus laughed. 'Loved it,' he replied briskly. 'Give five signs that identify the werewolf. Excellent question.'

'D'you think you managed to get all the signs?' James asked in tones of mock concern.

'Think I did,' Remus said seriously as they joined the crowds of people waiting to get out into the sunlit grounds.

'You better have, Moonboy,' Evangeline said, sticking her tongue out at him.

'Don't worry, Furball,' Remus retorted with a smug look on his face. 'I think I got them perfectly right. One: He's sitting in my chair. Two: He's wearing my clothes. Three: His name's Remus Lupin.'

Everyone except Peter laughed. 'I got the snout shape, the pupils of the eyes and the tufted tail,' he said anxiously, 'But I couldn't think what else – '

'How thick are you, Wormtail?' James asked impatiently. 'You run around with a werewolf once a month – '

'James!' Evangeline and Izzy snapped.

'Keep your voice down will you,' Remus implored.

'Well, I thought that paper was a piece of cake,' Sirius said, his arm still firmly wrapped around Evangeline's waist. 'I'll be surprised if I don't get an 'Outstanding' at the least.'

'Me too,' James added.

'At least that's one paper you'll get an 'Outstanding' on,' Evangeline teased him.

'Oi! No insulting the boyfriend,' Sirius said, as he began to tickle her side. 'Or no kisses for a week,' he said in mock seriousness.

'Padfoot, you wouldn't survive without kissing her for a week!' James said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the Golden Snitch.

'Where'd you get that?'

'Nicked it,' James replied casually. He started playing with the snitch, allowing it to fly no further than a few feet away before catching it again. Peter watched in awe.

'I don't believe you, James,' Evangeline said, as she watched him catch the snitch once more. 'You're not even the Gryffindor seeker. I am,' she said bluntly.

'It's not my fault I'm so good at Quidditch that I could play every position on the field,' James said with a cocky smirk.

Evangeline rolled her eyes as they walked over to the large beech tree that they frequently sat under while revising for their exams. They sat down in the shade of the beech tree while James continued to show off by letting the snitch fly further away. A group of girls had made their way over to the lake, taken off their socks and shoes and where dipping them in the cool, refreshing water of the lake. Remus pulled a book out of his bag, while Izzy lay down beside him, shielding her face from the sun. Sirius had resorted to lying down, while Evangeline sat up and watched the sun glimmering on the lake's surface. Sirius ran his hand up the back of Evangeline's shirt causing her to shiver. He pulled himself up beside her and began to kiss her neck, eventually reaching her lips.

'Do you really have to?' Izzy said.

Evangeline and Sirius pulled away from each other with mischievous grins on their faces. 'You didn't have to watch, you know,' Evangeline said.

'You're blocking my sunlight,' Izzy said bluntly.

James was continually letting the snitch fly further away from him, catching it at the last minute. Peter was watching him with his mouth open. Every time James made a particularly difficult catch, Peter would gasp and applaud him.

'Put it away, will you,' Sirius said as James made a fine catch and Peter let out a cheer, 'before Wormtail wets himself with excitement.'

Peter went slightly pink, but James grinned. 'If it bothers you,' he shrugged and stuffed the struggling snitch back in his pocket.

'I'm bored,' Sirius said, 'I wish it was full moon.'

'You might,' Remus said darkly from behind his book.

'This'll liven you up, Padfoot,' James said quietly, 'Look who it is … '

Sirius turned his head, a grin appearing on his face. 'Excellent,' he said softly, 'Snivellus.'

Evangeline turned to look in the direction Sirius and James where looking. Snape was on his feet, stuffing the OWL paper in his bag. As he left the shadows Sirius and James stood up. 'Oh no you don't,' Evangeline said, trying to grab onto the back of Sirius's trousers.

'Why do I even bother?' Evangeline asked and followed them. Remus, Izzy and Peter remained sitting. Remus was still staring down at his book, his eyes weren't moving though a small frown line had appeared on his forehead. Izzy continued to lie in the sun. Peter was glancing from James and Sirius to Snape with a look of avid anticipation.

'Alright, Snivellus?' James asked loudly.

Snape reacted fast, as though he had been expecting an attack. He dropped his bag, plunged his hand inside his robes, his wand was half-way into the air when James shouted: 'Expelliarmus!'

Snape's wand flew through the air and landed on the grass behind him. Sirius let out a bark of laughter. 'Impedimenta!' he pointed his wand at Snape who was knocked off his feet half-way through a dive to his own fallen wand. Evangeline shook her head in disbelief as she made her way towards them.

Snape lay panting on the ground as James and Sirius advanced on him, their wands raised. James glancing over his shoulder at the water's edge where the girls where sitting. Yet, he didn't notice his little sister gaining on them.

'How'd the exam go, Snivelly?' James asked.

'I was watching him, his nose was touching the parchment,' Sirius said viciously, 'there'll be grease marks all over it, they won't be able to read a word.'

Several people laughed; Evangeline was not one of them. As much as she disliked Snape, what Sirius said was cruel. Snape was trying to get up, but the jinx was still operating on him. He was struggling, as though bound by invisible ropes.

'You – wait,' Snape panted, staring up at James with an expression of purest loathing, 'you – wait!'

'Wait for what?' Sirius said coolly. 'What're you gonna do, Snivelly, wipe your nose on us?'

Snape let out a mixture of swear words and curses. But nothing happened, his wand was ten feet away. Evangeline stood a few feet behind James and Sirius, her arms folded. Standing before her was her brother and her boyfriend, cursing someone because they thought it was amusing. She knew that they wouldn't speak to her if she defended a Slytherin. Especially if that Slytherin was Snape.

'Wash your mouth out,' James said coldly. 'Scourgify!'

'JAMES!' Evangeline shouted disgustedly.

James turned around. 'C'mon sis, lighten up,' he said casually before turning back to Snape. 'It's just a bit of fun.'

Snape was gagging, choking on the pink bubbles that were streaming out of his mouth. His lips were covered in froth, he was spluttering and coughing.

'LEAVE HIM ALONE!'

James and Sirius turned around, Lily was standing beside Evangeline. James' free hand immediately jumped to his hair. 'Alright, Lily?' he said, the tone of his voice was suddenly pleasant, deeper, more mature voice.

'Leave him alone, Potter,' Lily repeated. 'What's he ever done to you?'

James smirked. 'Well,' he said, appearing to deliberate the point, 'It's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean …'

Evangeline rolled her eyes. She was surprised Lily hadn't decapitated him by now. 'You think you're funny,' Lily said coldly, 'but you're just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone.'

'I will if you go out with me, Evans,' James said quickly. 'Go on … go out with me and I would never lay a wand on old Snivelly again.'

'I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid,' Lily spat.

'Bad luck, Prongs,' Sirius said briskly and turned back to Snape who was inching his way towards his fallen wand. 'OI!'

It was too late, there was a flash of light and a gash appeared on James' cheek, splattering his robes with blood. James whirled around, a second flash of light and Snape was in the air dangling upside down. His robes had fallen down over his head to reveal skinny pallid legs and a pair of greying underpants. James, Sirius and Peter roared with laughter, along with the spectators. Evangeline smiled amusedly; but couldn't bring herself to laugh.

Lily's furious expression almost twitched into a smile, 'Let him down!'

'Certainly,' James said and he jerked his wand upwards; Snape fell to the ground in a heap.

Disentangling himself from his robes he got to his feet, his wand drawn, but Sirius said, 'Petrificus Totalus.' Snape keeled over, rigid as a board.

'LEAVE HIM ALONE!' Lily yelled, she too had her wand drawn. James and Sirius eyed it warily.

'Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you,' James said earnestly.

'You wouldn't dare, James,' Evangeline snarled, fishing her own wand from her pocket and holding it menacingly in front of her. Brother or not, he wasn't for hexing one of her best friends. James glanced at her, his face was emotionless. Evangeline stared back at him angrily and then glanced at Sirius. Evangeline shook her head and looked away from him.

'Take the hex off him,' Lily said, pointing her wand at Snape.

James sighed deeply, pointed his wand at Snape and muttered the counter-curse. 'There you go,' he said as Snape struggled to his feet. 'You're lucky Evans was here, Snivellus – '

'I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!'

Evangeline's eyes widened. 'You evil bastard!' she growled and she dived towards Snape, but Sirius caught her around the waist and pulled her back. She sighed angrily and glanced up at Sirius, a scowl on her face. She was angry that he hadn't let her maul that greasy bastard to pieces and the fact that he and James had started all of it in the first place.

Lily blinked and stared at Snape. 'Fine,' she said coolly. 'I won't bother in future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus.'

'Apologise to Evans!' James roared, pointing his wand threateningly at Snape.

'I don't want you to make him apologise,' Lily shouted, rounding on James. 'You're just as bad as he is!'

'What?' James yelped. 'I'd NEVER call you a you-know-what!'

'Messing up your hair because you think it's cool to look like you've just got off your broomstick, showing of with that stupid snitch – you're not even the seeker! – walking down tha corridors and hexing anyone that annoys you just because you can – I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK,' Lily hissed, turned on her heel and hurried away.

'Evans!' James shouted after her. 'Hey, EVANS!'

'I don't think she's coming back, you dickhead,' Evangeline snapped.

James ignored her. 'What is it with her?' he said, trying and failing to look as though it was a throwaway question of no real importance to him.

'Reading between the lines, I'd say she thinks you're a bit conceited, mate,' Sirius said.

'You don't say,' Evangeline said, growing frustrated.

'Right,' James said, who looked furious now, 'right – ' There was a flash of light and once again Snape was dangling upside down in the air. 'Who wants to see me take off Snivelly's pants?'

'Grow up, James!' Evangeline said, holding her wand up.

'Did you hear what he called Evans?' James asked her, it was clear he was annoyed.

'I did and I would have mauled him to pieces if idiot here,' Evangeline nodded towards Sirius, 'hadn't stopped me.'

'Then I'm sure you would want to get your own back on Snivellus, wouldn't you?' James asked her, deliberately jerking his wand so that Snape would sway violently from side to side. Evangeline didn't answer him. James turned back to Snape, he grinned evilly. 'S – '

'Impedimenta!' Evangeline shouted; James was knocked off his feet and Snape fell in a heap on the ground. She glanced warningly back at Sirius and ran past James, kicked his wand away and advanced on Snape. She pulled him up by the back of his robes, handed him his wand. She glared angrily into his black eyes, raised her fist and punched him hard in the face. He wobbled backwards and nearly lost his balance. 'Be thankful I didn't do to you what I did to Bellatrix,' Evangeline spat. 'Run along now, wouldn't want to get hexed again would we?'

Snape glared at her, but he turned his back and scuttled off, collecting his belongings as he went. Evangeline turned around, James was on his feet, his wand in his hand again. 'What'd you do that for?' James shouted irritatedly.

Evangeline flicked her wand once more and James and Sirius landed on the ground beside each other. 'You two are unbelievable. How stupid could you be?' she asked them, shaking her head, 'Actually, don't answer that.' She glanced at Sirius, 'I'll deal with you later,' she said. 'Well I'm off to find Lily, one of my best friends who you have just made so mad she might just murder me because I'm related to you!' she said, glaring at James. 'I'll see you later,' Evangeline said, as she ran off up the grass mound.

'I've just realised my sister can be quite scary,' James said, glancing at Sirius.

'She's gonna kill me later,' Sirius moaned, rolling his eyes.

'She'll kill us both!'

'Now she'll definitely not kiss me for a week.'

Hope you liked the chapter!!

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Constructive criticism and all that stuff.

Tori xox