Evan felt himself be grabbed from the side and he briefly resisted the urge to react before he realized it was a hug. Then he realized it was Andromeda and relaxed a fraction more, even going so far to hug her back. "Hi," he said, smiling.
"You wonderful young man," Andromeda said, smiling back at him with the slightest glimmer of tears in her eyes. "However did you do it?"
"I didn't," Evan said, "unless it's a good thing. Then I did do it. Allegedly."
"Gosh that sounds familiar," Sirius said with a big smile.
"It really does," Remus agreed with a chuckle.
Andromeda sighed but continued to smile. "What I am referring to, is convincing Narcissa to reach out to us."
"Oh that. I appealed to their better selves," Harry said.
"Bullshit," Sirius, Remus, and Moody said together.
"Okay, well, appealed to their sense of staying alive," Evan amended. "Met with Lord and Lady Malfoy, had a proper discussion meeting, and we have an agreement of sorts."
Sirius frowned slightly. "Evan, you know what they're like. You sure that's the safe thing to do?"
"Safer than the alternative," Evan said. "They won't be supporting Riddle anymore."
"Okay, that's a big deal," Moody said. "How'd you threaten them into that?"
"Like I said, appealed to their sense of safety," Evan shrugged. "Better the bastard you see than the bastard you don't." He smiled at Moody's amused chuckle. "That and I'll stand by my word."
"An important distinction," Dumbledore nodded.
"Well, here's the thing." Sirius took out a case and gave it to Evan who opened it. A large ornate cup sat within on a black velvet pillow.
Evan's eyes glittered hungrily and he nodded. "That's it," he said, closing the case. After a moment's hesitation, he handed it to Dumbledore.
"Thank you," Dumbledore said. He made a show of revealing a safe in the wall and he put the case inside and they could see the ring, the diary, and the diadem sitting within as well. "With this, we have four."
"I'm still looking for Slughorn," Moody said. "He's being slippery."
"It can wait until after the holidays," Evan said. "No need to ruin your holiday over it."
"I'm having fun," Moody sniffed.
"Once we find Slughorn and he gives us a number, we have a better idea of the rest," Sirius said. "We break them, then one stop closer to making sure Voldemort will be permanently dead."
"I have been going through other avenues of thought," Dumbledore said. "I believe I am on the trail to another place where he might have hidden one."
"Good," Evan said, nodding to himself. "And I'm still thinking about the other one."
"I still cannot believe he was so mad to create one, much less so many," Andromeda said with a moue of disgust.
"Yeah well, if he was smart, he wouldn't have done the first one so there's that," Evan said dismissively. "Putting him down will be almost a mercy at this point."
"Then we will continue on this path until at least after the holiday," Dumbledore said. "Also, you and the other Champions should receive your new clues at the beginning of the new year."
"Can't wait," Evan said cheerily.
"Oh and you and Harry are coming home to Grimmauld for the holiday," Sirius said, grinning at Evan. "We did a lot of cleaning. It's a lot better now and it'll be you two, Remus, Andromeda and Ted and Nymphadora, and other guests. It'll be awesome."
"Sounds nice," Evan said wistfully.
Sirius smiled happily. "You guys'll be there right after the thing."
"The thing?" Andromeda asked.
McGonagall cleared her throat. "The Yule Ball," she said. "It's being announced today to all the students. A dance to celebrate the holiday and provide an event in conjunction to the Tournament."
"Oh right, I forgot about that," Evan said, eyes warm from memory. "Oh because it was a giant mess of a night and I blotted it out of my memories." He shrugged at Remus' and Sirius' laughter. "I can get caught up on other things."
"I am afraid not," McGonagall said, looking at him sternly. "Mister Potter, you are a Champion."
"Oh fuck, that's right, opening the ball," he groaned as McGonagall tutted at his language. "Yeah, uh, since this time I'm not a Champion of Hogwarts since we decided I'm the Goblet's Champion or whatever, it's not that important I'm there, is it?"
"You are still affiliated with Hogwarts and I expect you to be there and showing your best," she replied, waving a finger at him. "And therefore, you must be there with a partner."
Evan gave her a flat look and looked at Sirius.
"It's a dance, it'll be fun," Sirius said with a big grin. "Enjoy yourself. You deserve to."
"I must agree with them," Dumbledore said, looking genuinely amused when Evan turned to him.
"So I have to find a partner?" Evan whined.
"No whining, and yes," McGonagall said.
"Fine." Evan looked at her with very large eyes that glittered in the firelight. "Would you do me the honor of being my partner for the Yule Ball? I solemnly swear to be on my best behavior."
Sirius and Remus choked and burst out laughing with Moody cackling beside them. Andromeda held her hands to her mouth to stifle laughter and Dumbledore too started coughing and hacking, having picked the wrong moment to sip his tea. McGonagall stared at him with shock before she twisted her face to hide a smile and she shook a very stern finger at him.
"Evan Harry James Potter!" she said loudly, fighting her smile.
"Is that a yes?" he asked hopefully, batting his eyelashes.
"No! You will take this seriously and find a proper partner!"
Evan gasped, hand to his heart. "I was being serious! That was cruel, even for you! To dash my heart and hopes with a strong sweep of your hand! Without a second thought even. I'm going to have to go and eat my feelings now!" He sniffled loudly and left Dumbledore's office.
McGonagall sighed and shook her head as the door closed behind him and she stared flatly at a still howling Sirius and Remus and a snorting Moody. "And what is so funny?" she asked in a dangerous tone of voice.
"You know damn well what's so funny," Moody said, gasping for breath. "I really like that Lad."
"Not even James could do that!" Sirius wheezed.
"I can't breathe," Remus coughed, holding his middle.
"Are you okay Headmaster?" Andromeda asked a coughing red-faced Dumbledore while McGonagall harangued the three hysterically laughing men.
"I am, thank you," he said, vanishing the tea and wiping his lips with a handkerchief. "Every time I believe he cannot surprise me, he does it again. At least this time was much more pleasant."
-0-
"Hey big bro."
"Hey little bro." Evan looked up and smiled at Harry. "What's up?"
"I wanted to ask you something," Harry said slowly.
"Oh sure. Take a seat." Evan waited for Harry to sit down in the chair across from the small couch that was in his guest quarters. The afternoon classes had finished and Harry had gone to find Evan, finding him resting in his room. He was unsurprised to find Hedwig and Wisteria there, smiling to see the two owls plumped on Evan. They waddled over to sit on Harry's lap and head, cheeping warmly at him and nuzzling him too.
"What's on your mind?" Evan asked, enjoying the sight of the two snowy owls showering Harry with affection.
Harry petted the owls for a moment. "So we were told about the Yule Ball, did you hear about it?"
"Unfortunately," Evan sighed, flopping dramatically on the couch. "And I have to go and be a Champion."
Harry grinned. "Was it bad your first go at it?"
"It was a giant mess for lots of reasons," Evan laughed. "In the end, it barely registered as an actual problem like we made it out to be. But at the time, it felt like the end of the world for many many reasons."
"Wow, that bad huh?"
"I might be exaggerating for comedic effect," Evan said, making Harry laugh. "But yeah, heard about it. Have to plan for my back-up."
"You already asked someone?!"
"Yeah and she said no! Can you believe it!"
"Not really," Harry gasped. He turned morose. "If you got rejected, then what hope do I have?"
Evan turned to Harry and his eyes sparkled. "I mean, I would have been really surprised if who I asked actually said yes, but still. So you want to ask someone?"
"Who'd you ask?" Harry asked.
"McGonaMum," Evan said without reservation.
Harry blinked at him. "You asked Professor McGonagall?!"
"Yeah, she's a great dancer and I know we could talk about loads of stuff."
Harry continued to blink. "What would've you done if she said yes?"
"Been chuffed that I don't have to look for a partner and not be worried about the whole thing," Evan said grumpily. He snorted at Harry's look of unsure horror. "It's just me being an arse and not caring about it, don't think too much of it. I might be just a smidge too young for her and less mature than she'd like in the personality department."
"Oh thank goodness," Harry said, rubbing his chest. He ducked under a thrown pillow.
"Thank you, Wisty," Evan said when Wisteria brought the pillow back to him. He hugged her to his chest and rested his chin on her head as she fluffed up and cooed happily. "Your turn, who do you want to ask?"
"Promise you won't make fun of me?" Harry smiled at Hedwig who had climbed down into his lap and pecked and nibbled his hands until he hugged her like that too.
"Nope, can't do that, but I'll be supportive after I do," Evan said honestly, making Harry sigh. He narrowed his eyes. "It's not Cho, is it?"
"No, I mean, I vaguely thought about it but that's not who I want to ask," Harry said. "Did you ask her?"
"Yeah and it was part of why everything was a giant mess and I know I said I'd tell you as little as possible to not overly influence things but it's better if you didn't," Evan said seriously. "She's a lovely girl but we're not compatible. I mean I wasn't with the one in my plane. You and her here might be more, but still, might be less."
"I mean yeah she's really cute," Harry said, somehow feeling at ease talking to Evan about this, "but don't really know her."
"Knowing the person you want to ask on a date is good," Evan said. "'Course a date is also for getting to know them too but still."
"I already do know her," Harry said, now feeling less at ease.
"Well go on," Evan encouraged.
"I want to ask Hermione," Harry said, cheeks flushed.
"Oh." Evan sat up, still holding Wisteria and looked at Harry. "Yeah, I can see that."
"It's not weird?"
Evan shook his head. "No. Not to me anyways. I noticed she and you seem a bit closer at this point than my Hermione and I were during that point in our lives."
"Did you two ever…you know."
Evan shook his head. "No. Best of friends and basically sibs, but nothing else. Maybe if times and circumstances were different, but they weren't." He sighed, looking off into the distance for a moment before he turned back to Harry. His smile was soft and sad. "I wonder how she'd take the idea."
He smiled at Wisteria who nibbled on his fingers lovingly. "But anyways, this is about you and this Hermione. I think you should go for it. Hermione's great! Just treat her like a girl too."
"I mean, yeah?" Harry replied, looking confused.
"Sorry, I'll explain one day, maybe." He sighed internally but gave Harry an encouraging smile. "Go for it. Be respectful, don't forget that you're best friends too, and it'll be fine. Even if she doesn't say yes, though I think she might." He blinked. "Actually, you're going to want to ask her sooner rather than later."
"Really? Why?" Harry asked, growing concerned.
"Let's just say doing that now will prevent some coming complications."
"Now?!"
"Yes now. When were you going to ask her?"
"When the time was right," Harry said weakly.
"Oh boy. Nope. Now. The time is right now and right, now. Come on."
"Hey! I thought you said you wouldn't interfere!" Harry protested when Evan got up and pulled him towards the door.
"I interfere when it's for your benefit and trust me, this is definitely one of those moments," Evan said. "Come on. You'll thank me later."
-0-
"Hi Harry! Hi Evan!" Hermione had walked into the foyer from the staircase and found the brothers walking around. Now it felt more natural to think of them as brothers even though Evan had appeared only a month ago. There was something about their dynamic and relationship that made it feel right. She smiled at them when they saw her and approached before frowning slightly. "Is everything okay Harry?" She frowned more at Evan. "What did you do?"
"Me? Nothing," Evan said in a wounded tone.
"Mmhmm," Hermione hummed flatly.
"I was just walking with Harry and we happened to run into you. Tangentially related, have you been to the library yet today?" Evan asked innocently.
"No, not yet," she replied.
"Oh good. I'm going to go first before you get all the good books." He walked past her and smiled cheerily as she huffed at him. As he walked behind her, he looked at Harry and gave him a nod of encouragement before turning the corner.
"Has he done something or plan to do something?" Hermione asked.
"He's been helpful, sort of," Harry grumbled. He sighed and swallowed heavily. "Can I, I mean, I want to ask you something."
"Of course." Hermione looked at Harry seriously and then followed him when he pulled her to an alcove in a side hallway. "Is everything alright? I knew it, he did do something or is planning on something. I'll go stop him-"
"No! I mean, I'm really alright except feeling weirdly nervous right now and Evan really didn't do anything bad," Harry said hurriedly. He looked at Hermione's very confused expression and took a deep breath. "HermionewillyougototheYuleBallwithme?"
She blinked at him, trying to parse out the words that came spilling out of his mouth without any semblance of structure. "I'm sorry, did you just ask me to go to the Ball with you?" she asked very slowly.
Harry groaned and coughed and nodded. "Y-Yes, I did. I asked if you would like to, or actually I think I said will, bloody hell-"
"YES!" Hermione shouted.
It was Harry's turn to blink. "You will? Go to the Ball with me?"
"Yes! I mean." Hermione's face was scarlet but she was smiling from ear to ear. "Yes, I would very much like to go to the Yule Ball with you." Her face fell slightly. "You mean, as a date, right?"
"Duh? I mean, yeah?" Harry said, wrongfooted.
"Just as friends?" Hermione asked in a very small voice.
"Uh…no? I mean I hope we still be friends and things don't change unless you want them to and-" Harry babbled, unable to stop.
Hermione's smile returned in full force. "No I understand," she said and smiled and almost giggled. "I would very much love to go to the Yule Ball with you Harry. As a date and as friends."
"Brilliant!" Harry said, also smiling broadly. He very hesitantly held his hand out and Hermione took it in hers, threading her fingers with his. They stepped out into the hall and he saw Evan lounging against the other wall, talking politely with a few older girls. At their appearance however, Evan slipped away and walked over. His eyes twinkled at their happy expressions.
"Hey you two." Ron walked to them from a different hallway. "What's going on?" His grin faltered when he saw that Hermione and Harry were holding hands. He looked at them, then at Harry. "Are you two- wait, uh-"
"I just asked Hermione to the Ball," Harry said, still flushed with nerves and happy feelings. "And so we're going together."
"Oh."
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, looking at Ron with concern.
Ron flinched when Evan appeared behind him and clapped a hand to his shoulder. "Ron! Just the guy I need. Come on, I need to talk to you."
"Wait, hold on-" Ron protested.
"We'll see you later," Evan said brightly to Harry and Hermione, pulling Ron along with him. He firmly but kindly steered Ron away, pushing him lightly, and led him down a hallway. Finding an empty classroom, Evan gently pushed Ron into it and closed the door behind him, snapping his fingers.
Ron sat down, his face pale coupled with bright red ears. He crossed his arms and his eyes darkened as he breathed deeply. He looked at Evan with an angry expression that turned confused when Evan asked for Dobby to come. Dobby listened to Evan for a moment before popping away, returning within a few moments with a tray. A large steaming kettle sat on the tray with a teapot, a box of tea, cups and saucers, and a plate of sandwiches and other things. With a happy bob of the head, Dobby set it down and disappeared once more.
Ron watched as Evan washed the teapot with hot water and vanished the water, doing the same to a measure of tea leaves. Then the young man filled the teapot with the leaves and more hot water, letting the leaves steep. Evan then put a selection of sandwiches and treats on a plate and put it in front of Ron.
"Learned this from you and your Mum," Evan said pleasantly.
"Make tea?" Ron asked, confused.
Evan nodded. "It's what she does when people are upset."
Ron stared at him. "I'm not upset."
"Yeah you are, and it's okay to be," Evan said kindly.
Ron gritted his teeth. "I'm not upset," he repeated.
Evan said nothing, pouring out a small measure of tea and sipping it before shaking his head and letting it steep longer.
Silence filled the air between them.
"Maybe I'm a little upset," Ron said at last, deflating slightly.
"It's perfectly fine to be," Evan said.
"Did you help him?" Ron asked all of a sudden.
"He came to me for advice and I encouraged him," Evan said without reservation. "I didn't know if she would say yes or no."
"I don't know if I believe that," Ron said, glaring at him.
"Ron, I solemnly swear that I'm telling the truth," Evan said seriously.
"Did you know I like her? From your plane?"
"Yes," Evan said honestly. "And I know I've said before I won't answer a lot of questions to influence things, but you two were together for a bit, later on."
"But then you influenced things by not telling him not to!" Ron accused.
"True," Evan said. "But everything I'm doing right now is to ensure things are better and that he's happy. So I'm not going to stand in the way."
"But you said we were together!"
"For a bit, but you two also broke it off for many reasons," Evan said. "And the three of us were friends even after." Evan looked away. "Even until now."
Ron felt something inside him twist. "What does that mean?"
Evan looked back at Ron and Ron was shocked to see tears in Evan's eyes. "Fine, I'm breaking one of my rules right now," Evan said, voice quiet. "You died, in the other plane. We were fighting Death Eaters. Someone had to stay back to ensure the others got away. It was going to be me. You hexed me and made the others take me away, saying it was your turn. You died that day, but you saved the lives of so many people while taking out a lot of them with you."
Ron stared in shocked silence as Evan coughed but did not wipe the tears running down his face. "And I fucking cursed you for doing that to me, for doing that for us. You died so we could live, but then I had to keep living on without my best mate, without my brother. I had to keep fighting without you, without your dumbarse jokes and your spirit keeping ours up."
"Oh." Ron felt winded. It was a completely different experience being told that your counterpart died like that.
"You died a hero, but we didn't need heroes," Evan continued. "I didn't need a hero. I needed my friend. I knew why you did it, and I hate to say that it was needed because it was, but I needed you too." He sighed. "And before I passed out from the hex, I heard you say it was you paying me back for this year. As if that fucking mattered at that point."
Ron said nothing. He could say nothing.
"That's another reason I'm doing what I'm doing," Evan said softly. "All of you, not just Harry deserves a better life. Seeing everyone now, like this, it's partially like hell for me. Because a lot of people here, I remember their last moments. I remember how they died, or how I found them after they did. I've even killed some of these people, these kids. We were forced into a hell of a future over the ambitions of a nose-less ball-less fuck and that's why I'm doing my best to not let it happen again. Because we all deserved better. All of us. Even the kids on the wrong side."
"I'm sorry," Ron said softly.
"Don't be," Evan said, clearing his throat. "That's why I'm having trouble sometimes not treating you exactly like my people. Because you are so very much like them, but not the exact same. And I don't want to force you to be them. You don't deserve that either. You guys are your own people and deserve to grow and be that way."
Ron looked at him solemnly. Still silent, he poured out the tea for them and he also put some food on a plate and put it in front of the older boy. They ate and drank together in soft silence for long moments. "I appreciate it," Ron said at last.
"It's genuinely my pleasure," Evan said. "I'm grateful for this chance to make things right."
"It must be driving you mad seeing the past again and not doing the same things and treating people different," Ron said.
"A little," Evan admitted. "It's worth it though." They ate and drank some more. "Care to hear some well-meaning advice that you may not want to get in the first place?"
Ron snorted. "Sure."
"You're a good person, Ron," Evan said seriously. "You care about your friends. You have strong emotions and you feel them. That's better than the alternative. You share all of you. That makes you genuine. Remember that. Anyone is lucky to have you, friend and otherwise."
Ron felt warm hearing that. "Thanks," he said gruffly.
"Now, to continue on that, you have to act man," Evan said. "Did you even tell either of them how you felt?"
"No," Ron said, looking away.
"Please don't hold it against them," Evan said gently. "It's not fair to them, or you."
"I guess," Ron mumbled. He sighed and rubbed his face. "I don't know. Sometimes I thought Hermione and I were only friends because of Harry."
"There might be some truth to that," Evan said with a wince. "But that doesn't mean you aren't good friends now."
"I guess," Ron said shortly. He colored at Evan's flat look. "I mean, yeah. We bicker a lot but she's smart and she cares a lot too and well…I don't know. I guess I don't have much to offer. Ow! Hey!" He rubbed his head and glared at Evan. "What was that for?!"
"I just told you that you have lots to offer," Evan scolded. "No pity party! This is a tea party, no pity!"
"Yeah but-"
"No buts at the tea party! Second bit of advice, just because you aren't the right fit for one, doesn't mean that's for everyone. There will always be someone that seems to be better than you at one thing or another, but that doesn't diminish you in any way. You'll find that right fit and it'll be all the better for you and the person you fit with. You just need to show off your fitness and let it shine and grow for the person that fits it to see."
"That sounds like you're telling me to do something else," Ron said, giving him a look.
"And hey there it is, your wit is back!" Evan grinned at Ron who smiled unwillingly. "Ron, and I'm being completely sincere here, you're one of the best people I know and you'll become one of the best people I'll continue to know and be proud to know. You just have to be proud of yourself too. I'm proud of you. Your parents are. Your friends are. Most of your siblings probably are." He and Ron laughed together. "Well, not that they'd admit it, but they are in their way. You have to be too."
Ron let out a deep sigh, feeling something deep inside of him slowly relax. "Thanks," he said.
"Anytime." Evan smiled at him. "I'm going to teach you a spell. It'll help. And I solemnly swear that if there is a girl you think you'd like to ask to the ball, I'll help you figure out how to do it."
"Is that what the spell is for?"
"No, you still have those dress robes, right?"
"Don't remind me," Ron said dispiritedly.
"Those are now the least of your worries," Evan said confidently. "The spell will help you with that. But we'll find you a date, you'll impress said date, you'll have fun, and things will be all the better."
"Just like that?" Ron asked, his tone hopeful.
"Just like that," Evan said with utter sincerity.
"Okay, yeah, sounds good," Ron said, smiling. "You really are like an older brother."
"I'm a bit surprised myself," Evan chuckled. "I kinda really like it to be honest."
"I already have 5," Ron sighed before turning a little shy. "Guess I wouldn't mind another. You're cool, cooler than all of them at least."
"They would've helped you with this if you gave them the chance." He laughed at Ron's incredulous look. "Seriously! Well, they'd take the mickey first but they eventually would be good about it. The Weasleys are one of the best families with the immediate family being paragons of love and support, especially the traumatic kind."
"I know," Ron said fondly. "I'm denying saying that though."
"I won't tell them," Evan grinned.
-0-
"Excuse me, Hermione?"
Hermione looked up. "Oh hello. Can I help you?"
Fleur smiled pleasantly. "I was hoping you had a moment?"
Hermione looked surprised by nodded. "Sure." She gestured for the seat beside her and Fleur sat down. The older girl looked at what the younger girl was working on and nodded.
"Ah, I remember first learning about switching spells and translocation spells. A bit difficult but if you have Transfiguring Trickily-ah I see you do." Fleur tapped a book in a stack on the table. "This has excellent explanations."
"Thank you," Hermione said, taking the book and putting it on the top of the stack. "Is that what you wanted to speak to me about?"
"Well, no," Fleur said slowly. "Forgive me for asking something personal, but I heard you are going to the Ball with Harry Potter?"
Hermione frowned. "I am," she said with a little frost on her words and tone. "How did you hear that?"
Fleur smiled, trying to placate her. "My cousin heard that Krum asked you but you had already agreed to go with Harry."
"Oh, uh yes that happened too," Hermione said, flushing a little. "I never imagined to be asked by two boys, much less one, but I am very happy to go with Harry."
Fleur smiled gently. "Do you like him? Fancy, I believe you Britons say."
Hermione blushed deeply. "Maybe," she said, looking away. She turned back and her frown returned. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, I have no intentions on your Harry," Fleur said hurriedly, noticing the smile on Hermione's lips when she heard her say 'your Harry'. "I am…interested in the older one."
"Oh! Oh," Hermione exclaimed and then turned thoughtful.
"What is that response?" Fleur asked, put on guard.
"Oh nothing bad!" Hermione said swiftly. "Just that, I adore him because he's basically older Harry but he's like an annoying older sibling and he loves to debate and argue with me," Hermione said. She smiled. "But he's very kind and caring."
Fleur nodded. "I like that about him very much as well. He vexes me, but in a good way." She sighed and blushed lightly at Hermione's chuckle. "I was hoping you might know…how to gain his attention. It galls me to admit that he has been somewhat resistant to my attempts." She huffed. "A Veela saying that is incredibly vexing."
"He does seem to care more about others being happy than himself, which is something Harry can be like too sometimes," Hermione said sympathetically. She hesitated.
Fleur caught the hesitation. "Please, Hermione, I would be so grateful for any insight. I see how close you are with your Harry and you and Evan share a true warmth and fondness and well…I would like to partake."
Hermione hummed softly. "Well, I've noticed that Evan and Harry do share a certain quality. You see, Harry really hates it when he's told he can't do something."
Fleur turned thoughtful. "As in he cannot do something literally, or he cannot do something as in he should not."
"Yes," Hermione said.
Fleur blinked and then a broad smile crossed her lips. "I see. Yes, this might work. Thank you, Hermione!" She hugged the startled younger girl firmly. "I am in your debt and we are now good friends. I will see you later." Fleur got up and left the library, her smile never leaving her lips.
"Uh oh," Hermione said to herself.
-0-
"Harry, I need you to forgive me."
Harry looked up at Hermione with growing concern. "What?"
Hermione sat beside him at the long table in the Great Hall. "So, uhm, Fleur approached me earlier in the library and asked me how to get Evan's attention."
"Uh oh," Harry groaned.
"I might have suggested something and then said the same thing you did after she left very confidently," Hermione said weakly.
"What did you say?" Harry asked.
"That you both hate it when you're told you can't do something."
"I'm not like that!"
"Yes you are" Ron said, sitting across from them at the table. "You absolutely are."
"Name one time!"
"When we went into the Forbidden Forest to chase after the spiders and not the butterflies," Ron said, tapping a finger. "When you flew against the Bludger that was trying to murder you. Going to the Death's Day party. Looking for the troll. Flying in the storm last year. Going after Sirius. Going past Fluffy and doing all that stuff in the third hallway. Taking the car-"
"That was your idea!" Harry said loudly, glaring at Ron.
"You didn't stop me!" Ron said loudly back.
"What's got you two in a tizzy?" Evan sat beside Ron and looked at him and Harry. Before they could answer, someone behind Evan cleared her throat loudly and he looked up at McGonagall. "Hello McGonaMum!"
McGonagall's lip twitched. "Mister Potter," she said. "I will need an answer soon."
"Me too. Are you still saying no?" he demanded. He sighed at her flat glare. "I don't suppose Wisteria could come?"
"If you insist she does, she may, but not as your partner for the Ball," McGonagall said, giving him one of her best stern looks.
"Then I'm still working on it," Evan sniffed.
"Work harder on it."
"It's hard because someone broke my heart cruelly!"
"Do not make me do so literally, Mister Potter," she warned before she walked away.
"I still can't believe you asked her, even as a joke," Harry said, staring at Evan.
"You asked her to the Ball?!" Hermione gasped while Ron laughed loudly.
"And she said no! Without softening the blow!" Evan said, holding a hand to his chest. "My heart's in pieces. Also it wasn't a joke. I would have been a proper date if she said yes."
Harry grinned as Ron continued to laugh and Hermione continued to stare with a flabbergasted expression. "You've been approached by a lot of the older girls. Why not agree to go with one of them?"
"I don't know," Evan sighed. He turned to look at Luna who sat beside him. "Luna, want to go with me as friends and sibs?"
"Oh I won't be here. I'm going on a trip with father," Luna said. She smiled up at Evan. "But thank you for asking me! I appreciate it." She patted his hand. "I don't think you'll be dateless though. And I think you'll have fun."
"What makes you say that?" Evan asked suspiciously. He turned at a very deliberate cough and looked up at Fleur who stood behind him. "Bonsoir Mademoiselle," he said genially.
"Bonsoir," she replied, smiling but with her teeth pressed together. Her magic pulsated and heads turned to stare at her, some in dreamy attention, others in irritation at the latter and blaming her the former. She gave him a look. "You are a very annoying man."
"Not the first time I've been told that," Evan said proudly.
"And an oblivious one," she continued, her smile hardened with gritted teeth.
"I've also been told that," Evan said, giving her a look. He frowned slightly before his face brightened with dawning realization. A look of wonder passed by swiftly, almost too swift to see and register, before it was replaced by another swift expression of resignation and reluctance. Finally he wore the same disarming easy grin that he seemed to wear most of the time. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Fleur paused. "Why not?" she pressed.
"We're opposing Champions."
"I have asked, it is not against the rules." She snorted roughly. "Not that rules are something you typically abide by as it was."
"There's truth to that," Evan grinned before sobering again. "It wouldn't be appropriate for you."
"I thank you for thinking of me," she replied with saccharine sincerity, "save for the way that I actually want you to."
"I don't think you want to think of me like that."
"Ah and you know exactly how I think?"
"Harry, that was a trap," Evan said to a gobsmacked Harry. "I've seen a lot of those, been in a few, and that one would probably be one of the ones that would do me in for good."
Fleur growled slightly before she smoothed her expression, ignoring the avid watchers around them. "Since you think you know what I think, apparently, or think you know what is best, perhaps you would like to know what I actually think?"
"Can't stop you," Evan smiled.
"I think you are a coward," she said, causing more than a few to gasp.
"You're not the first person to say that about me," Evan said dismissively. He turned away from her, an obvious attempt to ignore her.
"So you are not? Then it must be my other theory." She smiled primly. "You are scared because you are incapable. You do not know how to take a girl on a date."
Evan twitched.
"It is okay," Fleur said, sounding sweetly understanding. "We all have to start from somewhere. There is no shame in inexperience. I would be very gentle and patient with you."
"Hold on." Evan turned and looked at her directly. "I've been on dates before. More than a few."
"Oh have you now?" Fleur asked, pretending to be surprised.
"I have." It was his turn to speak through gritted teeth.
"Then I retract my assumption," Fleur said airily. "Though they do say, seeing is believing?"
Evan glared at her. "I know what you're doing."
"And what is that?"
"You want me to ask you to be my partner at the Yule Ball."
"Am I? If I so desired it, I could simply ask you to be my partner instead," she said, looking away with feigned grace.
Evan snorted and climbed to his feet, facing her. "Is that what you want?"
"I thought you thought you knew best," she replied nonchalantly.
"You want to be swept off your feet?"
"If you think you are able to do so," she said sweetly.
Evan stared at her for a moment before reaching into his jacket and pulling out a piece of plain parchment. Holding it between thumb and middle finger, he snapped his fingers while still holding it. The parchment twisted and shifted, turning into a dahlia flower. People sighed softly at the sight of the flower taking shape slowly before finishing transfiguring, standing upright in his fingers and it glowed softly.
"It would be my honor if you would be my partner for the Yule Ball, Mademoiselle Delacour," Evan said smoothly.
Fleur took the flower from him and smiled sweetly. "I graciously accept, Monsieur Potter."
"Wear extra socks, because I'm going to knock them off," Evan said, eyes glinting.
"I look forward to it," Fleur said, eyes dancing. She turned and walked back to the Ravenclaw table with the slightest skip to her step.
Evan sat down heavily, handily ignoring everyone who had witnessed the event. His head turned and he narrowed an eye at Hermione who flushed and shrank slightly, trying to hide behind Harry. "I'll remember this," Evan said, looking at her.
"I didn't do anything!" she protested.
"That was incredible," Ron breathed. "Please help me."
"Sure and what," Evan said flatly, glaring at Harry.
"Nothing," Harry said, grinning broadly.
"See? I told you!" Luna said brightly, looking up at Evan.
Evan sighed and filled her plate with food from the serving trays in the middle, shaking his head.