Chapter 12
Evelyn peeked at Severus through cracked eyes. They were in one of the abandoned classrooms, attempting to meditate. Severus however was struggling to focus and clear his head.
"Sev, you've got to stop fidgeting. You need to sit still and focus. James managed to do it, same with Sirius."
Severus shot her a glare, but stopped moving, his face scrunched up in concentration. She found it quite endearing.
Five minutes. He lasted five minutes before exclaiming, "It's just too damn silent in this room."
She opened her eyes completely and smiled at him. "Well silence is supposed to help with meditation."
"Well it's too quiet. I can hear my blood rushing through my body."
Evelyn shook her head. "Well where do you propose we practice?"
"I don't know. Just somewhere not so deathly silent."
She paused and looked at him. Sirius had ruined her sacred spot, but perhaps-perhaps he didn't remember where it was. It felt so peaceful to her, and she trusted Severus. She could share it with him.
"Ok. Hold on. Meet me outside Ravenclaw tower tonight at 10."
"Okay?"
"Just trust me."
They both stood, and she kissed him quickly before leaving him behind.
"James, I want the cloak tonight."
James wasn't even sure how his sister had gotten the password to enter Gryffindor tower, and gawked at her demand in place of a greeting.
"No way."
"Dad gave it to us to share. You have had it for most our years here. In fact, you've had it the entire time since father gave it to us. He told us it was for the both of us to share. I want it."
"If you think I'm going to- "
"You don't have a choice, James. I'm going to go upstairs and grab it."
"Why do you need it so badly?"
"None of your business."
"Evelyn- "
She took off before he could finish, knowing exactly where to find his rooms. She found his trunk, opened it, and grabbed the cloak she was looking for before making a dash for where Lily's dorm was.
"Evelyn, give it back!"
"I have every right to it, James."
"Give it back!"
"Come and get it!"
He ran for her, making it about halfway up the stairs before they turned into a slide and he fell, his face hitting the slide. She held in a laugh as she stepped on the slide, managing to maintain her balance all the way down. She ran past James and out of Gryffindor tower, before dodging down an empty hall and throwing the cloak over herself.
Severus was waiting next to the eagle knocker leading to Ravenclaw tower, just as she had asked. She walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. He whirled, but didn't see anyone, and Evelyn tried to suppress her laughter as he tried to figure out what was going on. He turned away from her, and she threw the cloak over him as well. He turned in surprise, but she covered his mouth.
"Shh," she whispered, "Otherwise they'll hear us."
"What the hell? What did you do?"
"It's my invisibility cloak."
"Your what?"
"Shut up and follow me, I'll explain it once we're out of the castle."
They made it to her clearing in the forest with relative ease, though Severus had fought it at first, until she gently reminded him that it wasn't a full moon, and that she promised it was safe. Upon reaching the clearing, he'd become stunned.
"So, we can meditate here, or I can explain first. Whichever you prefer."
He was still turning, admiring the lovely view.
"The cloak belongs to my family," Evelyn stated. "It's been handed down for ages. No idea where it came from. James and I are supposed to share it, but he's pretty much had a monopoly on it."
"But why?"
"Well, I don't really need it. I don't sneak out a lot. And I find this place very peaceful. I thought it would help with meditation."
"How did you find this place?"
"I wandered in as a cat. I needed an escape. And I found this place."
"It's beautiful."
She took his hand and led him to the willow she always sat under and took a seat, pulling him down with her. He sat and crossed his legs, just as they had been doing in the classrooms.
"Close your eyes. Listen to the wind through the trees," Evelyn said, realizing just how ridiculous she sounded. "Listen to the leaves as they roll across the ground. Listen to the water and the sound of my voice."
She watched as Severus finally began to calm down and breathe. She wasn't sure when she last saw him so relaxed.
"We're just going to focus on finding our center for now. So just breathe in and out for now. Do that until you feel like one with your surroundings."
Evelyn started on her own meditation. It had been a long while since she had a chance to. Finding such peace was so difficult.
She pushed away the thoughts of James and Sirius, the troubles of the beginning of the year, and even her own excitement about Severus. Meditation was about clearing your head.
Sirius seethed as he watched Evelyn practically skip to sit down at the Slytherin table for lunch with Severus. He honestly couldn't stand them together. But she looked so happy. How in Merlin's name could he do anything but admire that smile, even if it wasn't directed at him.
"Sirius, I might prefer you over Snivellus, but please stop staring at my sister," James groaned, "It's unpleasant."
Sirius looked at his best friend. "Sorry mate. Just can't stand him with her."
"Well get over it. At least he isn't coming on the family vacation this summer."
Sirius grinned, the gears in his mind turning. "That's right. She'll be separated from him all summer. It's our chance to get between them."
James thought about it and shrugged. "I guess it's worth a shot at least."
Sirius glanced one more time to Evelyn as she leaned her head on Severus's shoulder. The feeling in the pit of his stomach was growing.
A/N: Okay, sorry about the delayed update, I got stuck on my other story and this one.
Here's an interesting update: I have a Tumblr. You can find me as Lily MJ Fae. I also created one for Evelyn. It's currently Evelyn Potter (thought the URL is Evelyn-snape-nee-potter) So kind of spoilers to far in the future. I'll say no more.
Anyway, feel free to follow and bug me. Ask Evelyn whatever Questions you feel like (or other characters, maybe they'll pop by). Thank you, lovely readers.