Chapter Four
Evelyn walked into potions silently while looking at her feet. She already felt Severus' cold glare on her. It broke her heart. She couldn't remember the reason she chose to come to class early.
"Sev, I'm sorry," she started. "I really didn't know."
"Save it," he snapped.
She glanced a look at him and saw the contempt in his eye. Her heart fell and her soul was crushed.
"Please, Sev, just listen."
"Don't call me that. Don't even speak to me."
Tears streamed down her face again and she wiped them away.
"Hey, Snivellus, why is she crying?" Sirius barked as he walked by the class room.
Evelyn looked at Sirius, surprised. She wiped the tears away again. "Sirius, don't blame him. It's my own fault."
"No it's not. If he doesn't want to be your friend then he's the one missing out. We're still on for tomorrow, right?"
"Oh, yeah, I guess."
"Great," Sirius said with his usual cheeky smile that she didn't notice.
Sirius walked out of the classroom just as Slughorn entered.
Evelyn walked out of potions, her eyes having finally stopped crying, to find Sirius' arm around her shoulders.
"Hey," he greeted, "how was class?"
She shrugged out from his arm as he followed her down the hall. "It was fine. Silent and depressing, but fine."
"You shouldn't let it be depressing."
"I didn't want to lose my best friend. That's kind of depressing."
"Alas, I can't imagine losing James." Or you for that matter, Sirius thought to himself.
Still, he followed her down the hall. After a moment of silence, her curiosity got the better of her.
"Sirius, does Remus know about what happened the other night? Does he know that Severus and I know?"
Sirius dropped the carefree attitude and stiffened a little. "Yeah. James told him. He's still struggling with it. But if he had hurt anyone, he'd be worse off."
"I suspected you know. I knew he was gone and I knew when. I just didn't have any confirmation."
"Maybe that's why he's mad at you. You were smart enough to figure out out and you didn't warn him."
"I still didn't actually know. And besides, I would explain it, if he would listen to me."
"All good things come to those who wait."
"Since when are you one for wise words?" She asked, looking at him skeptically.
He shrugged, "Doesn't matter. Have fun in Ancient Ruins, I'm off to Defense."
"I'll try."
Evelyn walked into ancient and walked straight to Remus.
"Remus, I'm so sorry. Everything is all my fault. I-I-"
Remus put a hand out. "Stop. Just, leave it be."
"I can't. I feel terrible. I shouldn't have intervened."
"He probably would have figured out they were sneaking out and followed anyway."
"Remus, please, let me make it up to you. Could you meet me in the library after dinner?"
Remus looked at her quizzically. "How is that-"
"Just trust me, which I realize is a lot to ask because I've rarely spoken to you given that you're my brother's best friend. But I promise, it will be worth it."
"I guess."
"Thank you. Meet me at the table in the middle on the left side, okay?" Evelyn said with a grin as she sat down next to him. "Did they ever tell you that I learned with them? What they did for you?"
"You did?"
"Yeah. I saw them in the library the day they decided to learn it, and I may or may not have blackmailed them to teach me too."
"And you aren't in Slytherin?"
"Nope," she almost sang. "I also mastered the skill a year before they did. I just didn't say anything to James. I had to protect his ego."
"Yeah, that is pretty big." Remus remarked. Then after a pause, "He's pretty mad at you, you know?"
"I know. He just doesn't understand. If I'd been in Gryffindor, maybe we'd have stayed as close as we were when we were younger, as it is he pushed me away once we got here. And then got mad at me when I made friends with the only two people who talked to me."
"To be fair, Severus was harsh to both of them about wanting to be in Gryffindor."
"Yes, but one little comment has blown far out of proportion. Besides, they're daft if they think he actually believes that anymore. He's been best friends with Lily since first year. If last year hadn't happened, he still would be."
"I guess."
Professor Babbling walked into the room and both students stopped their conversation to listen.
"Lils, please, just meet me in the library after dinner. We need to discuss something very important," Evelyn begged as she and her friend left Transfiguration.
"Evie, that's so close to curfew. I don't want to get caught."
"Please, I promise you won't get in trouble, Besides, you're a prefect. You have a patrol at night anyway."
Lily looked at the desperate plea in her friend's eyes and sighed, "Only if you tell me why Severus was so mad at you today."
Evelyn's heart hitched. Just the memory had the abilty to break down any strength she had managed to build up. "I can't, Lil. If I could, I would. But the reason he's mad is a story that is not mine nor his to tell. All I can say is that I gave him exactly what he wanted, a way...a place and time to get back at James and people almost got hurt. So both of them are mad at me."
"But if he wanted the revenge, and people got hurt, that wouldn't be your fault."
"It is, but it's okay. I accept my part in it, and I'm going to do everything I can to right it."
"I wish you luck, Severus is pretty stubborn. He knows how to hold a grudge."
"That's kind of rich, coming from you, you know?"
Lily kind of chuckled. And then didn't. "Severus attacked me when I tried to help him. He didn't even thank me. And then he used a racial slur. I will not forgive him so easily until he's proven he can change."
"I guess I can understand that."
The two girls walked in silence to the great hall for lunch. Evelyn had chosen to write a letter, hoping that Severus would at least read it and give her a chance.
Severus,
I know that you do not want me to talk to you, but I cannot leave things this way. The way you feel about losing Lily is how I feel about losing you. So I know you understand why I need to apologize and at least try to make you understand.
I swear to Merlin that I did not know about him and his affliciton. I'm sure you understand me not using names or specifics, because I don't want to risk anyone. As I said, I did not know. I knew that they snuck out and I knew that he would be missing from class. I had my suspicions, and so I am guilty of not sharing that warning. But it wasn't my story to guess or share. It still isn't. And I couldn't say anytihng without being completely sure. That's why I followed you though. I had followed so that I could be sure that no one got hurt and that things didn't get out of control.
I am sorry that my lack of knowledge put you in danger. I am so sorry. I wanted nothing of the sort. I just wanted to make you happy.
Severus, please at least consider speaking with me. I'll do anything to prove my friendship and loyalty to you.
Evelyn
Severus finished reading the letter and scoffed. It was highly unlikely that she felt anything remotely close to how he felt about Lily. And her reasons were pathetic. Remus was her brother's best friend, she had to have known. The way he had seen Black holding her and the fact that the boy had become suddenly attached to her, told Severus that it must have been some plan.
Then again, even Black seemed to be surprised. The way he acted it was like she was telling the truth...but Severus knew better than to trust Black.
Evelyn was hiding in the row of books just past the table where she asked Remus and Lily to meet her. Of course, she didn't need to tell Lily which table, it was their usual table, and since there was no way Severus was going to meet her for their friday study session. SO instead, she was going to help a friend.
Remus was the first one to arrive. It didn't surprise her at all. He was always a punctual person, even despite the days he was absent. Then she saw Lily making her way to the table. A grin set itself on Evelyn's face. She really hoped that this would work out.
"Oh, Remus," she said as she came to the table. "I wasn't expecting you."
"I'm sorry, I was just meeting Evelyn. She asked me to meet her here."
Lily's face lit with realization and then annoyance. "I don't think that's what she had in mind, because she asked me here too. And yet, she is not here."
"What are you saying?"
Come on, Lily. Tell him what you were going to the other day. Please! Evelyn thought to herself, wondering if she could push her own will onto her friend.
"Just, We were talking about you the other day."
Remus almost panicked.
No, I promise, I will never tell a soul about that. Evelyn thought.
"It's just, I was trying to find you. She just told me that I wouldn't find you that day. She was pretty sure of herself, and she was right. Where were you?"
"Sick."
"Oh. Okay, well if you ever need any help with school or something when you're sick, let me know." Lily smiled at him, a soft genuine smile. It made Evelyn feel like she was doing the right thing.
"Okay, Well, thank you, Lily. I'll keep that in mind. I guess I should go."
NO!
"No," Lily almost shouted before covering her mouth. He stopped moving.
"Was there something else?"
"I-i-"
Evelyn sighed and pulled out her wand. She knew a spell that would give Lily just the push she needed. "Actus in desideriis," She whispered.
Lily felt a force push her towards Remus and she kissed him. She wasn't sure why she had, but she did. She let her arms wrap around his neck and then he kissed her back. She was kissing Remus and he was kissing her, his arms wraping around her waist. Butterflies were fluttering away in her stomach.
And then they both pulled away, smiling sheepishly. And then Remus' face fell.
"I'm sorry," he told Lily. "I shouldn't have-I can't-"
"Why are you sorry? There's nothing to be sorry for. If anyone should be, it should be me. I kissed you."
"But I kissed you back. And I can't-I can't do that to James. He's my best friend and he's crazy for you."
"Well I don't want James. I don't even like him. He's an ass. I like you. He can't blame you for that."
"I'm sorry, Lily. I can't do this. I-I appreciate the gesture, but I don't deserve it."
"Why not?"
"I-i,"
Evelyn frowned. Damn it, everything seemed to backfire on her lately. She had just wanted to help.
"Remus, please. Think about it. At least promise me you'll think about it."
Yes, Lily, you've got this! Evelyn cheered silently.
Remus looked away.
"Please, Remus. You deserve whatever will make you happy, and I would do my best to try."
"I guess, I can think about it. But for now, don't tell James. I don't want this to hurt him."
"Of course I won't. Thank you, Remus."
Lily had a sudden confidence and kissed him again, going for a quick peck, and was surprised when he cupped her cheek and kissed her back.
Evelyn used their kiss to sneak back to the entrance of the library and make her way back to Ravenclaw tower.
After Remus left, Lily stayed put, waiting until she was sure he was gone. "Okay, Evie, you can come out now."
She waited, but her friend made no appearence. Lily walked towards the back, looking in every aisle as she passed and saw no sign of her friend. It made no sense. Surely her friend had stayed to see if her plan had worked. It would have fed into her curious nature. And yet her friend was nowhere to be seen. Lily sighed, a silly smile taking over her face, and headed out to do her rounds before heading back to Gryffindor tower.
A/N: Hello readers. I really hope that you liked this chapter. I'm trying to do a rotation of chapter updates however SOMEONE here is on your side and greatly influences the work of this particualr story XD
Anyway, Please read and leave a review, I would love to know what you're thoughts are!
Also, the spell used in this chapter: Actus in desideriis: this is google's latin translation of "Act upon your desires"
xoxo ~Lily