A/N: Sorry about the delayed update. I kind of hit a block and stuff going on...when isn't stuff going on honestly. Nothing too serious this time. Sorry it's so short. I did join a little MC club, so lets hope that helps (it's funny because one of the prompts they had is almost 100% Evelyn's wand.) Anyway. I hope you at least enjoy.

Chapter Ten

Mum,

I need to ask a favor. You have to ban Evie from dating. She started dating Severus. I am worried about the things that he might get her into. He hangs around the wrong sort. Please try to talk some sense into her. She'll understand coming from her mother.

James

Daddy,

You would not believe how happy I am right now. Severus and I have started being more than just friends. He's being a perfect gentleman. I have been in love with him since third year, and I finally have my chance. Please talk to James. I know he's always hated Severus, but this is important to me. I know that he disapproves, and he's going to try to ruin this, but he doesn't understand. Surely he'll listen to his father?

Love,

Evelyn

"So, Snape. We hear that you started dating the Potter girl. About time you gave up on that mudblood," Mulciber called as Severus entered the common room.

Severus had to fight the urge to kill Mulciber for the comment. "The poor girl was desperate. And it bothers her brother."

"She's so wasted on you," another boy said. "Man the things I would do to her."

"Well you don't have her, so refrain from talking about her like that near me."

"Protective much? I didn't think you liked her. It seems pretty clear you're just using her."

"You're just a sore loser because you don't have her."

"Maybe I could convince her to change her mind."

"I doubt it."

"And what have you two been up to when you stay out so late?"

"I'm sure it's none of your business."

Mulciber punched Severus's arm with a grin, "Come on, Sevvy, you can tell us."

Severus rolled his eyes. "No one has caught us, so nothing happens."

The boys in the room howled with laughter as Severus made his way to his dorm.

He didn't understand why all they cared about was the fact that she was a pureblood. Blood status truly meant nothing, he knew and understood that well. Lily was a powerful witch, yet she was muggleborn. He was a powerful wizard, yet he was a half-blood. That wasn't to say that Evelyn wasn't a powerful witch. She was incredibly so, even if she didn't use it to her potential all the time. No, blood status had nothing to do with anything except…status.

But for now, it seemed that dating Evelyn was protecting him from the abuse he faced in his own house. And it was wrong, but it only made him want to hold on more.

After a week, things were already falling apart. Severus had put forth no effort, and Evelyn noticed. Not that she complained to Severus. She seemed perfectly content to call their lessons dates, and sit with him at lunch. But he could see the hope leaving her, and without the hope that things would work, he wouldn't be able to hold on to her for long. The only problem was that he had never dated before, and he didn't have the means to give little trinkets that he saw most couples giving.

Then there was the fact that he had told her they would only date. He had avoided making a commitment to her, because, if by some miracle, Lily changed her mind, He wanted to be available to her. Though the more he thought about it, he quickly realized that was ridiculous. Even if by some miracle Lily forgave him, she wouldn't date him because she was a good friend. It would hurt Evelyn.

So he found himself stuck. Either take the leap and lead on Evelyn, knowing that he couldn't feel that way about her. Or end it, and lose all of the benefits he was reaping, and only lightly her now. He knew that he should end it. She was his friend, and he cared about her enough to recognize that. But he cared about his own self-preservation just a little bit more.

He had transfiguration just before Evelyn had it with Lily. And while it wasn't his best subject, and she was far better at it than he was, he decided that he would make a gesture.

Having easily enough finished the assignment with the bird conjuring spell, he pulled a spare piece of parchment out of his bag and transfigured it into a yellow rose. Yellow was the color of friendship, he knew. But he was fairly certain that Evelyn would see the gift as so much more than it was.

After attaching a properly spelled note, it was ready, and he left it in the spot she always sat. She had sat in every year, and he knew she wouldn't give it up. Despite being a bit of a teacher's pet, she had a tendency to sit near the back corner, out of sight and out of mind.

Evelyn walked into Transfiguaration and took her seat before she noticed the yellow rose laying on the table. Her heart leapt a little as she grabbed for it and saw the note.

Evie,

Would you meet me in the Astronomy Tower tonight?

Severus

Evelyn's heart jolted that time, so hard that she feared it might leap from her chest. He actually reached out. Not only that, he'd reached out with a gift. It didn't even matter to her that yellow was her least favorite color. She loved the gift all the same, because he had given it.

"Why are you smiling so much?" Lily asked when she walked in and took her seat next to her friend.

"Severus left this for me," Evelyn said, gesturing to the rose. "And he asked me to meet him in the astronomy tower tonight."

"Evie-"

"Lily, He's not going to try anything like that. Believe me. We're not even a couple. Just dating, and this is the most effort he has put in all week. If anything, he might just call it off."

In her heart, she knew that wasn't happening. The tower was where couples went. Granted they did things that were far beyond anything Evelyn felt she would do anytime soon, but still. It was the place for couples. And Severus had asked her to meet him there.

"Just, don't get in trouble. That's on my route tonight, so don't let me catch you guys after curfew."

"You won't, I swear."

James wasn't going to be happy. Sirius hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but they had class with Evelyn and Lily, and he'd been walking by when they were talking. Now he made his way over to hi shared seat with James, Remus's just in front, and prepared to share the information. When he heard Evelyn's comment, his stomach sank. And he had to tell James. This was his sister, about to meet a boy in the astronomy tower. And while neither he nor James would ever admit to it, just to protect their chances with the girls they truly wanted, they both knew exactly what that meant. Snivellus was going to make a move.

It seemed that perhaps they might have a chance to intervene if they played their cards right.