No, I don't own the world of Harry Potter or any of JK Rowlin's ideas, just the plotOCs
Welcome to the re vamped chapter 12. I hope you will continue to enjoy the story as you previously have.
12. Ripples
January passed in a blur of icy corridors and late-night study sessions. By late February, the castle had settled into its usual winter rhythm. Severus Snape split his time between his Slytherin friends and Evangeline, though his housemates made their disapproval of the latter increasingly clear.
Evangeline's birthday had been marked by a small gathering a few weeks earlier, held in an unused classroom over the weekend. Severus had reluctantly agreed to attend, unsure what to expect. The guest list surprised him—only ten students, including Hufflepuffs, a Gryffindor (Lupin, of all people), and the usual Ravenclaws. He was the sole Slytherin.
Despite himself, he found the evening tolerable. Music crackled from a small record player, and while Severus stayed well away from the laughter and dancing, he appreciated the lack of judgment. David, one of Evangeline's closest friends, stopped by frequently, pulling up a chair to sit beside him.
"Having a good time, Snape?" he asked.
"It's… tolerable," Severus replied stiffly, his gaze flicking toward the crowd.
David chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes. Stick with Eva long enough, and you'll get used to this sort of thing."
"I doubt it."
"You don't talk much, do you? No wonder Eva likes you—you balance out the rest of us lunatics." David's grin widened. "She's lucky to have you. Keeps her grounded."
"I wasn't aware I had such a role," Severus said dryly, his expression unreadable.
David snorted. "Well, it's true. Mariana calls me mad every other day. I'll be writing an essay, minding my business, and she'll go, 'Blimey, David, is this a guide to blowing up your eyebrows?'"
"You argue like a pair of grindylows fighting over lakeweed," Severus said, his tone dry.
David flushed. "Thanks for that, Severus. Just what I needed—a reminder."
"You're very welcome," Severus replied, his face impassive.
Severus inclined his head slightly, letting David retreat toward the others. Not long after, Evangeline appeared and took David's vacant seat.
She smiled softly. "Enjoying yourself?"
Severus hesitated. "More than I expected," he admitted quietly.
They talked in low tones as the evening wound down, the music fading and students beginning to file out. By the time Severus returned to the dungeons, he couldn't entirely deny to himself that the night had been… tolerable. Almost pleasant.
By the end of February, the castle was cloaked in frost, its corridors filled with students eager for spring. Severus Snape rose early one morning, the pale winter light filtering weakly through the Slytherin dormitory. After dressing quickly, he joined his housemates for breakfast, their conversation drifting—as it often did when they were not discussing the Dark Lord: to their latest experiments with dark spells.
"Mulciber's been practicing that shattering charm," Avery said, his voice low as he leaned toward Severus. "Got it to crack a stone in half yesterday. It's genius."
Mulciber smirked, casually twirling his wand between his fingers. "It's precise, see? Doesn't just destroy—directs the force exactly where you want it. Subtle."
Severus arched an eyebrow. "Practical for a battlefield, I'm sure."
"More than just for the battlefield Snape, wooden floors, small bridges, even ice." Mulciber said with a sly grin.
Avery leaned in, smirking. "You should give it a try, Snape. With that knack of yours, you'd have it down in no time."
Severus said nothing, but his interest was piqued. Dark spells always fascinated him—not for their cruelty, but for their complexity. A spell that could destabilize ice with precision intrigued him, though he suspected Mulciber's intentions had little to do with academic curiosity.
"That spell is promising Mulciber, I think a field test would be beneficial soon." Stated Rosier. "Some people could use a lesson in grace."
Severus's gaze flicked toward him, narrowing slightly. "Like who?"
"Oh, I don't know," Avery said airily. "The usual lot. Muldbloods, blood traitors. Take your pick."
Severus said nothing to Avery's remark, though his gaze lingered briefly on Mulciber.
"Relax, Snape," he said with an easy shrug. "It's just theory. No harm in talking about the efficiency of magic."
Snape's expression was unreadable as he stood, his voice cold. "Then I assume you've got it perfected."
"Of course, Snape," Mulciber said, inclining his head. "Of course."
Severus sighed, rising from the table as the conversation faded. Avery, Mulciber, and Rosier followed him into the hallway, but they soon parted ways, leaving Severus and Rosier to make their way to NEWT Charms with the others.
When he entered the classroom, Evangeline was already there, glaring at Lockhart.
"Lockhart, get away from us, or you'll be bald by morning," she snapped, her wand twitching in her hand.
Mariana tugged on Evangeline's arm, murmuring, "He's not worth it."
Severus smirked faintly as he took his seat beside Rosier. The animosity between Easgriff and Lockhart was nothing new, David claimed it had started their first year at Hogsmeade Station when Lockhart tried and failed to impress her. Severus vaguely recalled the scene: Lockhart boasting, Evangeline snapping at him, and the boy muttering something absurd about winning her over someday being the 'chosen one'.
"Can the two of you stop arguing on every occasion?" Professor Flitwick asked, stepping between them with practiced ease. "You're housemates, not rivals. Now, take your seats."
The lesson passed quickly, much to Severus's relief. Rosier and Avery, however, continued their relentless chatter about curses and the Dark Arts as they left the classroom.
"Go on without me," Severus said abruptly, his tone brooking no argument. The pair exchanged a glance but shrugged and disappeared down the corridor.
He was halfway down the hall when Eva caught up to him
"Sev!" she greeted, her tone bright. "How are you? We haven't talked in days."
"It's been five," he corrected, "not exactly an eternity."
"Still too long," she said with a grin. "So, Patronus practice or Legilimency? Your pick."
Severus hesitated before nodding. "Patronus."
"Excellent choice," Evangeline said, her eyes bright. "We're so close to cracking it. And your Occlumency? Amazing. It's getting really hard to break in."
"That's the point," he replied, though there was a flicker of approval in his tone.
Evangeline laughed. "Touché Snape. Shall we head to the potion lab?"
He nodded, falling into step beside her.
Once in the potion lab, the pair placed their bags down, drew their wands, and began practicing the Patronus Charm. The spell was deceptively simple to speak but endlessly difficult to execute, and frustration hung in the air after several failed attempts.
Severus lowered his wand after his third try, his expression darkening. "This is pointless. I can't do it."
"How can you say that?" Evangeline replied. "You're close, Sev. Closer than you think."
He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Am I? Because it looks like I'm not even close."
"It takes time," Evangeline replied. "And maybe… maybe you're focusing too much on the mechanics. You've read everything about this spell—probably more than anyone—but maybe it's not just about technique."
She hesitated, her expression softening. "It's about feeling. Instead of just a memory, think about the emotion behind it. Love, happiness… something real."
He gave her a skeptical look. "Have you tried that?"
"No," she admitted, her voice lightening. "But I'm about to."
"Expecto Patronum," she said.
Evangeline closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her fingers tightened around her wand as she let her mind wander to a memory she hadn't dared to use before.
A silvery light burst from her wand, swirling in the air before coalescing into a shape. Severus's dark eyes narrowed, his frustration momentarily forgotten as the light twisted into form—a bright-white, translucent fox. The fox leaped forward, its paws silent on the stone floor, darting around the room with quick, graceful movements. It circled Severus once before disappearing into a faint shimmer of light.
"It's a fox," Evangeline whispered, her voice tinged with awe. Turning to Severus, her face broke into a wide grin. "Sev, did you see that? I did it!"
"I noticed," he said dryly, though his tone lacked its usual sharpness. "Remarkable."
Evangeline threw her arms around him in an exuberant hug, catching him off guard. He stiffened briefly before awkwardly patting her shoulder. "Yes, yes. Congratulations."
"Thank you!" she said, stepping back, her green eyes shining. "A fox! It's perfect! I've always loved them. Clever, quick, loyal…"
"Cunning," Severus added quietly. "It suits you."
Her grin widened, her excitement bubbling over. "Thanks! What do you think yours will be? Something strong, obviously. Maybe a raven? Or an eagle?"
"Or a flobberworm," he muttered, his tone dry.
Evangeline laughed. "A flobberworm? Come on, Sev. You're a Slytherin—give yourself a bit more credit. You're the best at Potions, top of the class in charms and Defense, you will be fine. Trust me."
Severus didn't respond immediately. His gaze lingered on the spot where her fox had disappeared. "We'll see."
The pair left the potion lab shortly after, their footsteps echoing through the corridors. Evangeline chatted brightly, her enthusiasm for her Patronus still bubbling over, while Severus remained thoughtful.
As they reached the Great Hall, she nudged him toward the Ravenclaw table. "Come on, Sev, you've been stuck with the Slytherins all month. You'll survive."
He hesitated, then followed her, ignoring the curious glances of her friends. As they sat, Evangeline whispered "You'll get it. I know you will." Severus said nothing, but a faint flicker of a smile crossed his lips as he reached for his goblet.
After lunch, Severus and Evangeline walked to Potions, their conversation muted as they prepared mentally for the class. They handed in their essay on Felix Felicis, the result of a late-night collaboration that left both feeling quietly confident.
"Good afternoon, everyone!" boomed Slughorn, beaming as always. "Essays in, very good, very good. Now, let's move on to something practical. Today, we'll be brewing the Elixir to Induce Euphoria, page twenty in your textbooks. You have one hour. Work with your current partner, and may the best cauldron win!"
Severus pulled out his battered textbook, its margins filled with precise notes and corrections, while Evangeline set her spotless copy next to it as a decoy. They worked in silent synchronization, their movements deliberate and efficient.
"How did you correct practically every step in this potion?" Evangeline asked, lowering her voice as she measured out crushed peppermint.
"Because it was flawed," Severus replied bluntly, focusing on his stirring. "The standard instructions waste ingredients and compromise the results."
Evangeline smirked. "Potion Master in the making. I'm impressed. Good thing we have the improved version."
He glanced at her sidelong. "You're lucky I don't charge for these improvements."
"Maybe in the future, you should." She replied.
Severus didn't respond, focused on adding a peppermint sprig. When Evangeline raised an eyebrow, he explained, "It mitigates the side effects. Hardly practical if you're using this in a controlled environment."
She grinned. "Practical and clever. You never miss, Sev."
By the end of the hour, their potion glowed faintly golden, perfect in its shimmer. Slughorn stopped by their table and clapped his hands together. "Ah, splendid work! Truly splendid. Ten points each to Ravenclaw and Slytherin!"
When class ended, Severus and Evangeline left the dungeons, walking side by side in comfortable silence until David and Mariana intercepted them near the stairs.
"Eva! Eva!" David called, grinning as he caught up. "Remember our plan for a big get-together at the lake?"
Evangeline raised an eyebrow, puzzled for a moment, before realization dawned. "Oh—right! The rendezvous when the weather wasn't miserable."
Mariana gestured toward a nearby window, where sunlight streamed through the glass. "It's sunny today and not too cold. Perfect skating weather."
"And there are already a few people down there," David added. "We're heading out after classes."
"That sounds amazing!" Evangeline said, her excitement evident as she stepped closer to the window for a better view. She turned back to Severus, her expression hopeful. "Care to join us, Sev?"
Severus gave her a sharp look "I'd rather endure divinations while listening to mandrakes for an hour."
"Ouch Snape." Chuckled David "Subtle much? I thought you skated with Eva during the break."
"A lapse of judgment Frezidoft." He replied curtly.
The trio exchanged knowing glances, their skepticism evident despite Severus's clipped excuse.
Evangeline tilted her head, undeterred. "Are you sure, Severus?"
"Quite," he said firmly, straightening his robes.
Mariana and David exchanged grins, poorly suppressing their laughter. "Whatever, Snape," David said, shaking his head. "Your loss. And here we thought you were becoming human."
Evangeline gave the pair a gentle push toward the stairs, silently letting them know she would join them shortly. Turning back to Severus, she offered a small smile. "Ignore them, Sev. But if you change your mind, you know where to find us."
Severus watched as Evangeline ran off to join her friends, her laughter fading into the distance. He lingered for a moment, staring after her, before shaking his head and heading toward the library. This was the proper use of his time studying, refining spells, and researching the Dark Arts. Not wasting it on some 'playtime' on the frozen lake, surrounded by people he very much disliked.
After finding a seat in a quiet area, he removed his potions textbook and began pouring over it.
"This theory is wrong." He mumbled crossing it out and adding his corrections. "Bloody imbeciles." Yet no matter how many pages he turned or theories he corrected, he couldn't shake the echo of Evangeline's voice in his mind.
Care you join us?
You know where to find us.
He scowled, shaking his head as though the thought itself were an annoyance.
"Stupid, bloody stupid. It's a pathetic activity that removes focus." He told himself.
As Severus gave himself this internal lecture, voices drifted from the next aisle. A chair scraped back, parchment rustled, and books slammed shut.
"…That about covers it. To the lake, then?" a familiar voice drawled.
Severus froze, recognizing the speaker instantly: Sirius Black.
"Obviously, Pads," James Potter replied. "Time for some good fun. And I'll show Evans some of my moves while we're at it."
"You reckon Moony and Wormtail are there yet?" Sirius asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "We told them to meet us after we finished this… project."
"They'll be there," James replied confidently. "You reckon Snivellus will show?"
"Snivellus Snape, king of slime? Not a chance. Though Frezidoft swears he skated with Evangeline Easgriff during the break," Sirius said, a smirk evident in his tone.
James's laugh echoed through the quiet library, drawing a glare from Madam Pince.
Sirius gave James a gentle pat on the shoulder and they started to leave. "Well, in any case, we know Easgriff will be there, and I can show her what I've been working on. She won't know what hit her."
James snorted. "If this is another one of your 'unique approaches,' Pads, I'll be surprised if she doesn't hex you."
Sirius grinned, unfazed. "Come on, Prongs, you know me. Charm and flair. Easgriff's sharp, yeah, but she'll appreciate the effort. She's one of a kind—deserves nothing less."
James raised an eyebrow, smirking. "One of a kind, huh? Then maybe try a little more subtlety. It might keep you from ending up on the wrong end of her wand."
Sirius waved his hands. "Trust me, I've got it all under control. Skating's about to get a lot more… memorable."
James let out a laugh as they made their way to the exit. "I don't know what you're planning, but this I've got to see."
Severus gripped his quill tightly, his knuckles whitening. He sat still for a moment, his mind racing. The idea of the Marauders near Evangeline filled him with unease. They're insufferable, he told himself, but the thought of Sirius Black anywhere near her was unbearable.
Without a word, Severus closed his book with a snap and stood, his decision made, he would not be skating on the lake, but he was going to keep an eye on the Gryffindor quartet. They were up to something.
Packing his belongings with practiced efficiency, Severus slung his bag over his shoulder and strode out of the library, his steps deliberate. The moment he stepped outside, the crisp air nipped at his face, but it wasn't as cold as he expected. The castle grounds were bathed in pale sunlight, the frost glinting like scattered diamonds across the snow.
The lake came into view, bustling with activity. Students skated in pairs, their laughter carrying across the ice, while others lobbed snowballs at each other, shrieking in delight. Severus's gaze swept over the scene, his sharp eyes searching for a familiar figure.
He saw Evangeline on the ice, skating and laughing with David. Her other friend Mariana appeared on break sitting on the edge, their other friend Grace having joined them.
As he approached the edge he heard Sirius shout out from the lake "Well, well! Look who's here!" Sirius's voice rang out, unmistakably loud and smug. "Snivelly! Didn't think bats ventured out in daylight."
Severus's lips curled into a sneer, his hand twitching toward his wand, but before he could retort, Peter Pettigrew chimed in eagerly, "Maybe he's here to try skating, Pads. Reckon he's any good?"
"Both of you shut up!" Evangeline snapped as she reached the edge of the lake. "Honestly, don't you ever get tired of hearing yourselves talk?"
Sirius raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin widening. "Relax, love. We're just having a bit of fun."
"Don't call me that." She snapped, then turned to Severus, her expression softening. "Sev did you change your mind?"
Severus shook his head stiffly. "No. I'm not here to skate."
Evangeline sighed but smiled faintly. "Still, it's nice to see you out of the library and in the sun."
"Pity he couldn't leave his personality behind," Sirius muttered, gliding closer. "Come on, Snivellus. The ice isn't so bad. I'll even help you if you're scared."
Evangeline's glare cut through the air like a blade. "I said, shut up, Black."
James skated to Sirius and pulled him away before he could reply, muttering something about trying a different approach. Evangeline waited for them to move away before approaching Severus from the edge.
"So," she said, tilting her head toward Severus. "Are you just here to watch, then?"
"Possibly."
She chuckled. "Well, enjoy the show. David and I are heading back out." She turned and called, "Dave! Ready for another round?"
David stood, brushing snow off his cloak. "Always, Eva."
Taking his arm, she led him back toward the center of the lake. Severus watched them silently, his hands buried deep in his robes. From time to time, Sirius skated by, issuing playful challenges to Evangeline—each one met with a dismissive wave or a pointed look.
"Easgriff! Look here, love!" Sirius called, grinning as he performed an exaggerated spin.
"Show-off," Severus muttered under his breath, his glare fixed on Sirius.
Evangeline ignored him, staying close to David.
The minutes stretched on, and the lake seemed to buzz with life. Students glided across the surface, their skates carving intricate patterns into the ice, while others gathered at the edges to chat or rest.
A faint noise rippled through the air—a low, hollow groan from beneath the skaters. It was barely noticeable over the laughter and chatter, but Severus's sharp ears caught it. His gaze flicked across the lake, searching for the source, but the ice remained smooth and unbroken.
Nearby, someone laughed. "Hear that? Must be the heat. Too many of us out here."
Severus glanced toward the trees, spotting a few shadowy figures, but he dismissed them as students taking a break. His attention shifted back to the lake, his eyes drawn to Evangeline as she skated circles with David.
"Sure, you're staying there, Severus?" she called out, her voice teasing as she passed close to the edge.
Severus smirked faintly but gave no reply.
As they moved further toward the center, Sirius skated closer, his grin widening. "Careful, Easgriff," he called. "Wouldn't want you to fall for me."
Evangeline stopped abruptly, turning to face him with a raised brow. "Fat chance of that happening Black."
"Don't be so sure, Easgriff. You might find I grow on you," Sirius quipped, his grin widening.
"Like a fungus," she shot back, turning sharply on her skates to rejoin David.
The students nearby laughed, some nudging each other and whispering as they watched the exchange. Sirius's charm, infuriating as it was, always managed to draw attention.
Severus's jaw tightened as he watched, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Something about the ice unsettled him.
Then he heard it again.
A brittle crack echoed faintly across the ice, sharp enough to slice through the laughter. Severus's eyes darted to the surface, searching for the source. The sound startled a few skaters, who slowed their movements and began edging toward the shore.
Even Evangeline and David paused, sharing a glance that betrayed their unease.
Sirius, however, was already taking charge, his tone calm but firm. "Alright, everyone. Let's spread out. Too many of us in one spot—that's all it is."
Reluctantly, the students shuffled apart, their movements hesitant. Severus's sharp eyes swept over the surface of the lake. Small fractures had started to appear, faint but visible, spidering out beneath the skaters.
Evangeline and David exchanged another look before skating a little closer to the edge, away from the crowd.
"We should be fine here," David said, his voice steady as he surveyed the ice beneath their feet. "No cracks."
Evangeline nodded, exhaling a small breath as her tension eased. "Looks good," she said lightly, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her unease. She began skating in slow circles around David, her laughter ringing out again, softer this time.
Severus didn't move from his spot near the shore, his hands buried deep in his robes. His eyes flicked between the fractures and the skaters, the knot in his chest tightening with each passing second.
Then it came—a loud, resounding crack, sharp as a whip. More students retreated to the shore, their faces pale. Severus's attention locked onto the growing fracture, its jagged lines creeping rapidly toward the edge.
Evangeline and David suddenly looked down.
"Da–"
The ice gave way beneath them, a deafening crack splitting the air as both Evangeline and David plunged into the freezing water below.
~~~~~~~~END OF CHAPTER~~~~~~~~
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Until next time *Power goes out* "Lumos!"