As the end of term approached, excitement rose. The Yule Ball was the popular topic of course and so many people were chatting about who was going with who, about what would the Ball look like, and everything in between. The Weird Sisters were confirmed to be the performing artists that delighted the vast majority of students and all the Hogwarts students knew that the Great Hall would look incredible with seeing how it was decorated in the past.
"Hey, you look happy," Harry said, smiling at Ron.
Ron puffed out his chest some. "That's because I am," he grinned. "I just asked Lavender to the Ball and she said yes."
"Awesome!" Harry high-fived his best mate enthusiastically. "That's great!"
"Evan helped me figure out what to say and she was really enthusiastic about me asking, and yeah. I'm looking forward to it," Ron said happily.
"That's brilliant. I'm happy for you," Harry grinned back. "Oh, uh, about yesterday. Were you okay?"
"Oh, right." Ron rubbed his face for a moment. "Uh, yeah. Well, I was a little…how do I say this? I was a little shocked that you asked Hermione to the Ball."
"Oh, why?" Harry asked, his good mood fading.
"I might've had a bit of a crush on her," Ron admitted quietly.
"You never told me," Harry gasped.
"I didn't tell anyone. Just something that was in my head and when you asked her to the Ball and how happy she looked, it took me deeper in my head and I was a little upset," Ron confessed. "But Evan helped me think about it and it's not fair to either of you because of me not acting on my feelings and well, yeah. But seriously, I'm happy for both of you," he added hurriedly.
"Thank you," Harry said quietly. "I didn't do it to hurt you."
"No I know," Ron said, nodding. "And I really am happy for you two. It was one of those things you just think about and when you see it happen differently, it hits you, you know?"
Harry did know that quite well. "We'll always be mates," he said. "And I promise to try and not let things get awkward."
"Me too," Ron said with relief. "Just promise me you won't gang up on me with her."
"I'll try," Harry said, making them laugh.
"I'll take it," Ron smiled. His smile disappeared when he saw someone approach from behind Harry. "Hey, watch out," he whispered.
Harry turned and stared at Draco. Before he could say anything, Draco held a hand up. "I'm not here to start anything, Potter," Draco said through gritted teeth.
"Why don't I believe you?" Ron asked, standing beside Harry.
"I wouldn't know," Draco sneered. "Who knows what goes on inside your head?"
"Same about you," Ron retorted.
Harry looked at Draco for a moment, wondering why something was throwing him off. Something was different about Draco. After a second, he realized what. "You're not with Crabbe or Goyle."
"Hey yeah, what happened?" Ron asked, looking gleeful. "They finally got sick of the smell of your hair product?"
"As if you ever came within an inch of any yourself," Draco spat. "And it is no concern of yours why I am here without them!"
Harry rested a hand on Ron's shoulder, keeping him from replying. "What do you want?" he asked.
"I have no idea where the older Potter is, so here." Draco handed an envelope to Harry. "This is for him, from my father."
"Why does he want something from your father?" Harry asked, taking the envelope and staring at it with deep suspicion.
"Ask him yourself," Draco said. With the slightest nod, he turned and left.
"That's weird," Ron said, staring at Draco as he left. He looked at the envelope. "Should we deliver that?"
"It must be important," Harry said slowly. "Draco was…serious about it."
"Yeah, that was weird too," Ron said. He followed after Harry and the pair went to Evan's room. After greeting the Lioness in the painting beside the door, they waited and the door swung open.
"Hey you two," Evan said looking up at them from the couch. "What's up? Oh hey, Ron, how'd it go?"
"She said yes," Ron smiled.
"Thattaboy!" Evan high-fived him. "See? I told you that you could do it! You'll have fun." He looked at the envelope that Harry held out. "What's that?"
"Draco just gave it to me to give to you," Harry said. "From his father."
Evan took it and opened it, reading the message swiftly. He smiled, but it was a cold and sharp one and after a moment he looked up, eyes glittering. "Well now, that's good to know."
"What is it?" Ron asked eagerly.
"Stuff for the other reason I'm here," Evan said, tucking the message away. "Taking down Riddle stuff."
"And the Malfoys are helping you?" Harry gasped.
"We have a mutually decided upon agreement," Evan said.
"Are you sure you can trust them?" Ron asked uneasily. "Dad's told us some things that the Malfoy's have done."
"Reasonably sure," Evan said. "It's in their best interests too to work with me instead of against me."
"Can you tell us?" Harry asked.
Evan hummed softly for a moment. "Not right now. Later, when things shake out better. Don't want to worry you and for your own safety." He snorted deeply, surprising them. "Wait, check that. I fucking hated that when they did it to me and I've already said that to you about the other thing."
He leaned back on the couch and the other two sat in facing chairs. "Basically they're giving me information on other Death Eaters and whatever they hear that sounds dodgy. I've been passing along the info to the Aurors and there's been lots of small changes, investigations, arrests. That sort of thing." He patted the message in his pocket. "This is something new and it actually helped me remember something which I'm grateful for, so I'm going to go handle it in a bit."
"That's so cool," Ron said, enthralled.
"Are you sure I can't do more?" Harry asked quietly. "I feel bad that you're doing so much."
"Don't," Evan said flatly. "Harry, you're a kid." He smiled at Harry's indignant expression. "It's true. You're not an adult, therefore, you're a kid. I am an adult. You need competent adults doing their thing. So let me do my thing. I said I'd let you know what you can do, trust me."
"I do," Harry said without a trace of doubt.
Evan nodded, pleased. "Then don't worry. I've got it."
"Do you have to go now?" Harry asked.
"No, I got some time. Say, I'm curious. Let's see how I would do now." He summoned a chess set and put it on the table between him and Ron. "How about it?"
"Never have to try hard to convince me," Ron said eagerly. Harry watched his friend and brother play and it was a very exciting match but resulted in Ron winning.
"Damn. Can't even beat you when I'm older and had more experience," Evan said, shaking his head.
"That was really close," Ron said sincerely.
"Glad some things don't change," Evan smiled.
-0-
The man looked up from behind the counter as the door to his shop opened. It was a strange looking shop, slightly darker in tone, atmosphere, and feeling. Since it was located on Knockturn Alley, it was to be expected and fit in perfectly there.
Various objects and things sat in sealed cases or on pedestals. Some had notecards or placards describing what the object was or would do. Others had no introduction. Some needed none such as a rather menacing looking dagger or a hatchet that still dripped blood.
The man also looked like he belonged in the dismal place. He had an air of darkness to him, in appearance and temperament. His skin was pale but tinged with shadow, his hair greying. His eyes were hooded and he looked at the young man who entered with evident distrust. "Can I help you?"
The young man with messy black hair and bright green eyes nodded back genially. "Just browsing for now," he said, looking around.
"One usually does not enter just 'to browse'," the pale man said sourly.
"Must not be good for business then," the young man replied, ignoring the flash of irritation that went over the other man's face. He took his time, walking around the store, unhurried and unbothered by the man's glower. He stopped in front of a large cabinet and pondered it for a moment. "How much for this?"
"Ah, now that is a nice piece of work," the proprietor said greasily. "An artifact from an earlier age of magic. Things placed within vanish and can return somewhere else entirely."
"Right, I know it's a Vanishing Cabinet," the young man said with an amused expression. "Nice attempt at trying to upsell it. So, how much for it?"
The older man stifled a growl. "Seventy-five Galleons."
"Bit pricey," the young man observed.
"You asked, that's the price. If you can't afford it-"
"Never said I couldn't," the young man interrupted. "Never said I wouldn't buy it either. I'll buy it for that cost." He reached into a pocket and pulled out a small leather bag, throwing it up and down in the air. It looked and sounded heavy, full of clinking coins and the pale man's eyes followed it up and down. "I'm also looking for some other things."
"And what would that be, Sir?" the man asked greedily.
The young man snorted. "Information. You've been getting some very dark things, Mr. Caractacus Burke. Making shady deals and reaching out to others. I want some names."
Burke glared at the young man, instantly on his guard. "I don't know what you are talking about."
"Don't you?" the young man asked mildly. "You sure about that?"
"Do you think I can be bought?" Burke sneered.
"No, you can't be owned," the young man said. "Only rented. Always looking for someone who is willing to pay more for your services. If you could be bought, I'd be tempted to buy. But never to own temporarily."
"I should throw you out for your insults!"
"Insults? Or the truth? Well, depends on how it's given I suppose," the young man chuckled. "So, you want me to buy the cabinet or not?" At Burke's curt nod, he threw the bag of coins to the other man.
Burke poured the coins out and counted them swiftly. "It's all here," he said with begrudging surprise. "How do you wish to transport it?"
"No need." Burke gasped as the man threw a vial into the cabinet and a second one onto the outside, dousing it in strong smelling liquid. The man then flicked his wand and the cabinet burst into flames.
"What are you doing?!" Burke screeched, trying to put the flames out with his own wand. Any water or dousing agent that came close to the flames evaporated instantly however and the fire crackled merrily.
"Burning it," the young man said. "What does it look like?"
"You can't do that in here! You'll destroy my establishment!"
"I mean, that's certainly possible," the young man nodded. "But I bought the cabinet and it's my property so I can do with it however I want. The store doesn't care after the sale is made, right?" He gave the panicking man a cool look. "I could be convinced to keep the fire from spreading, if I get what I want."
"That's extortion!"
"Yes, yes it is," the young man smiled. "I'm glad we can agree on something."
"I'll call for the civil law enforcement!"
The young man laughed merrily. "You know they won't come until it's too late. You also know the Aurors won't come for me. And if they did, there'd be an investigation and you'd stand to lose a lot more than what you'd gain from me being fined."
He snorted at Burke's rising panic. "Relax, it's a type of reactive fire. It only burns when something is covered by the burning reagent." He waited for the panic to subside slightly before he reached into his pocket and pulled his hand out, holding three more vials with the heads peeking out between his fingers. "Thankfully I have plenty to spread around."
"Why are you doing this?!" Burke cried.
"I want information. You have information. You don't want to give me it. I'm encouraging you to do so," the young man said coldly.
"They'll kill me," Burke whimpered.
"Sure, they might. Then again, they aren't here right now." His green eyes burned brighter than the fire. "I'm here right now. What's to stop me from doing the same to you?"
"Who are you?" Burke whispered.
The man smiled. "Evan Potter. Now, what are you going to do, Mr. Burke?"
-0-
"Mister Potter."
Evan looked up. "Oh hello Director Bones, fancy seeing you here," he said with a smile.
She sighed at his cheery expression. "I need a moment, please."
"Sure." He followed her to one side of Diagon Alley, standing at the entrance to a side street. He looked on with interest as a couple of Aurors spread out and took overwatch positions some distance away. "Is there a problem?" he asked innocently.
"You tell me," she replied wryly.
"I'm not having any problems. I'm doing a spot of shopping for the Yule Ball," Evan said, frowning in thought.
"And did that shopping happen to take you to Knockturn Alley?"
"No." He looked at her incredulous look. "I went there first, then continued to do my shopping."
"So you aren't denying you went to Borgin and Burkes and threatened Caractacus Burke and burned down his store."
"I didn't burn down the store," Evan said indignantly. "I burnt a vanishing cabinet that I bought at full inflated price. That was my property and I can do what I want with my property."
"You're not wrong about that, but the whole threatening thing and endangering a person's life and livelihood are against the law," Amelia said sternly. She frowned when he held out a roll of parchment. "What's this?" she asked, taking it.
"A copy of everything I found out from him."
She opened the roll and looked through it. Her expression darkened the more she read and she looked back at him. "Verified?"
"He told me himself and the cabinet was hiding a door in the floor," Evan said.
Amelia looked to one side and waved one of the Aurors over. She whispered to him and he nodded and left. With a sigh, she turned back to Evan. "There is a process to things, Mister Potter."
"I'm aware of that."
"And yet, you are not following the process."
"I'm not an Auror," Evan said matter-of-factly. "I am a concerned citizen and what I'm doing is not against the law. If Mr. Burke has problems with me, he can hire a solicitor and call me out in a civil matter."
"And you know why he won't," Amelia said.
"But he has the option to. And I'm not going beyond the guidelines established with the Ministry and accepted by the Ministry," Evan said, giving her a look. "I'm getting results. Tell me how many people have been punished and how many hidden things have been revealed with my notes since I've come here?"
"A lot," Amelia admitted quietly.
"How much of that were any of you save for the perpetrators aware of?"
"Not nearly enough," she said quietly.
"So what's the problem?"
"The problem is that in some instances, they still have rights," Amelia said forcefully. "And things have to be done properly or else the consequences can be dismissed due to technicality. They go unpunished and then what? I thought we already had a discussion about your vigilantism."
"I'm not denying anyone their rights. Like I said, if Burke has a problem with me, he can file a complaint and follow up on it legally. And I remember. I'm not taking the law into my hands. Just doing a bit of cleaning."
"Dammit Potter!" Amelia flushed a little and quieted down somewhat when her outburst drew some attention. "I'm not against you!"
"I'm aware," Evan said coolly.
"Then stop acting like it's you versus the world!"
His eyes were a lot older than his years, far older. "It's hard when that's all you're used to," he said softly.
Amelia let out a breath. "I'm sorry," she said at last.
"No need to apologize," he said, shrugging lightly. "I know I'm not making everything easy for you. But no offense, I'm not trying to. You know my goals."
"I do."
"Making things easy for the Ministry isn't one of them," he said simply. "I will do what I must to get what I want."
"Is it so hard to trust us?"
"It's hard when that's all you're used to," he repeated with a sharp smile.
She closed her eyes briefly. "What can I do to help you trust us more?"
"Let me do my thing. I've held up my end of the bargain, right?"
"Right."
"Then hold up yours," he said. "So far you have. That matters."
"Are you planning on confronting anyone else in the near future?" she asked with a pawky expression.
"No plans to," he replied glibly. "Right now it's picking up some things for the Ball, finishing my Christmas shopping, and then it'll be right back to work right after the New Year." He blinked at her. "Anything else, Director?"
"No," she said. She watched him leave but was puzzled when he stopped at a stall, bought something and walked back and gave it to her. "What's this?"
"Something you can give the Old Dog," Evan said. "He'll like it and it'll mean a lot from you."
"What makes you think I was going to give him anything?" she asked, cheeks slightly pink.
"In case you were planning to," he said, walking away.
Amelia sighed and tucked the small package into her robes. Hestia Jones, one of the other Aurors that was on watch, walked over to stand by her. "He's a strange one," Hestia said softly.
"You have no idea," Amelia said. "He means well, in his way."
"Good or bad?"
"Yes."
-0-
Harry walked into Evan's quarters and smiled at the sight of Evan staring down at the chessboard with Hedwig sitting on the other side of it. Owl and man were deep in thought with Wisteria watching on, sitting plumped up in the golden egg that had been opened permanently and refurbished to be an owl nest. Hedwig moved a piece with her right talons and flapped her wings in victory when Evan's king threw his crown down in defeat.
"Ah I thought I had you there," Evan said, shaking his head ruefully. "Well played!" He shook Hedwig's leg and gave her a rasher of bacon that she comped on eagerly and then gave a second one to Wisteria. "Hey little bro."
"Hey big bro." Harry easily caught the small box that Evan tossed him. "What's this?"
"Got those for you to give to Hermione for the Ball," Evan said as he put the pieces back in their places.
"Oh thanks!" He frowned. "They aren't rings, are they?"
Evan snorted with amusement. "Nah, that's a you thing if it gets that far. It's a necklace and a corsage. Thing with flowers to go on the wrist. It's a Muggle dance tradition thing. It's fun."
"How much were they?" He looked flatly at Evan's wave of dismissal. "I have to pay for it. Or else it's coming from you and that's weird."
"Oh, good point. Think it was three Galleons and ten sickles all together."
"I'll give it to you later." Harry sat down and faced his brother, petting Hedwig who walked onto his lap and cheeped at him. "I saw, good game," he praised her as she plumped up. "What did you get Fleur?"
"More or less the same thing, as in necklace and corsage. Not the same designs or anything. I know that much," he chuckled.
"These aren't going to do anything to Hermione, are they?" Harry asked, looking at the boxes again.
"What? No."
"Just saying, you looked peeved," Harry grinned.
"I know when to have my revenge," Evan snorted, rolling his eyes. "I wouldn't ruin this for either of you."
"I knew you wouldn't," Harry grinned. He sighed softly. "Did you know Ron liked Hermione?"
"Sort of. I mean, yes in my plane. Figured it might be the same here and he did have some feelings for her. I helped him work through them."
"I feel bad, I didn't know," Harry confessed.
"Don't," Evan said kindly. "He never told either of you before. You can't be responsible for knowing something you weren't told by someone." Evan hesitated slightly. "There's doing right by your friends, and in doing right it'd be a detriment to your own happiness. That's something everyone has to decide to what degree of the line they want to fall on. Being noble is a virtue, but you suffer alone if you overdo it."
"I think I understand," Harry said softly.
"Good. It's a hard lesson," Evan said sympathetically.
"So why aren't you happy about going to the Ball with Fleur?" Harry asked.
"I'm not?" Evan asked, looking surprised. "Going with a very attractive girl that's also smart and talented isn't something I want?" He laughed when Harry threw a pillow at him.
"If you were really that care-free about it, you would've asked her early and without hesitating," Harry snorted.
"You're not wrong." Evan sighed and shrugged. "It's complicated."
"Did you two date and it end badly in your plane?" Harry asked gently.
"Oh no, not at all," Evan laughed. "No, she actually married Bill. Had kids together too."
"Oh, huh, neat," Harry said, thinking about that. "So you're reluctant because of the whole 'not trying to overly interfere' thing then."
"Pretty much," Evan nodded.
"Even if you doing that would interfere with your own happiness?"
"Look at you, already throwing my own words back at me," Evan said admiringly and threw the pillow at Harry who barely caught it.
"What can I say, I learn fast," Harry smiled.
"No we don't," Evan countered.
"Some things we do," Harry protested.
"True," Evan snorted. He rubbed his face. "It's just, I could be out there doing way more. Riddle is on the back foot but I should be out there finding him and Peter and the rest of his little band of idiots and making sure they're put down for good."
"You're already doing that," Harry said. "You already gave a lot of info to the Ministry. You even got the Malfoys on your side. And you have to compete in the Tournament. You're already doing a lot."
Evan did not say anything. He looked down at his hands and sighed. "Maybe."
"You deserve to relax and enjoy things too," Harry said.
Evan did not look at him. "Maybe," he repeated.
"Come on. I trust you, shouldn't that mean you trust me?" Harry asked.
Evan snorted but it was a lighter sound, full of fondness. "Not sure if it works that way," he said, his tone lighter.
"Alright but you have to trust Hedwig and Wisteria. And you two think he deserves it right?" Harry grinned as the owl nodded and they flapped daintily over to Evan and both of them stared up at him with very large amber eyes, nodding sincerely.
"Well that goes without saying, trusting you two," Evan said and hugged them both tightly and they cooed and nibbled and nipped at his hair, nuzzling him sweetly. He relaxed and sat back. "You're probably right," he said to Harry.
"Sometimes we are," Harry said with trace smugness.
"Sometimes," Evan agreed with a big smile.
"Hermione would like to come in," the Lioness said, popping up in the portrait on the wall. At Evan's nod, the door swung open and Hermione walked in.
"Hello you two," she said warmly. She looked at them both. "You both look rather satisfied with yourselves."
"We were just saying that we're right," Harry said.
"Gosh, I can think of several times you weren't," Hermione teased, smiling.
"Name one," Evan frowned.
"Oh let's see, going to duel Malfoy first year, playing Quidditch with the cursed Bludger, going after the Stone which was in hindsight an idea but a rather poor one at the time-"
"I said one," Evan sniffed as Hermione laughed and Harry winced. "I'm still irritated at you. For selling my secrets."
"I didn't sell anything!"
"So you gave them away for free?! That's even worse!"
"I only shared an observation!" Hermione said loudly, glaring back at the owls who glared at her with disapproval. "And I'm not wrong! Both of you hate it when you're told you can't do something!"
"That doesn't mean you have to tell it to someone for them to use for nefarious purpose!" Evan said.
"A date to the Yule Ball is 'nefarious purpose'?" Hermione snorted. "Surely, you're dramatic."
"I am and don't call me Shirley," Evan said, making her laugh again. "From a movie," he explained to Harry. "Heard about it and it's funny."
"I'm sure we can watch it together," Hermione smiled. "You two can visit and we can watch it."
"That sounds fun," Harry nodded.
"Oh, and just saying this now, no snogging in here," Evan said, wagging a finger at Harry and Hermione who both flushed. "I mean it. I catch you two doing that in here and I'm hosing you both with a Hosing Charm."
"We haven't gotten there!" Harry said loudly before giving Hermione a sheepish look. "I mean, I'm not complaining and only if you want to, you know, eventually." He tried to ignore Evan's retching sounds.
"I'm sure we will in time," Hermione said, face scarlet. She shot Evan an angry look.
"Ah, thank you girls," Evan said. Hedwig and Wisteria had fluttered to his shoulders and both extended a wing, blocking his sight, and had their heads turned away. "Bless you both."
Hermione could not resist smiling at the sound of both owls giggling and the sight of the three of them. "You're so sassy," she sighed.
"Yeah we are," Evan said and Wisteria and Hedwig hooted in agreement.