The man at the bar looked up with surprise when the door to the tavern banged open. His surprise grew when he saw the other man walk in, shutting the door behind him against the raging storm. He had never met the other person before, yet the other person seemed quite familiar and comfortable to be there.
Evan walked deeper into the Hog's Head, blowing on his hands and rubbing them together. "Damn it's cold out there," he said conversationally, sitting down at the bar comfortably. He looked around the tavern and sighed softly, nostalgically. "It's good to see the place like this."
The man at the bar frowned. "Don't recall ever seeing you here before," he said gruffly.
"Probably 'cause I haven't been in this one yet," Evan said without being offended, grinning up at the scowling man. "How you been, Old Man?"
Aberforth Dumbledore glared at Evan for a long moment. "Old Man?" he repeated.
"Yeah, that's what I said," Evan said genially. "You let me call you that in the other plane."
Aberforth paused. "Oh, you're the one that appeared on Halloween. At the castle."
"That's me," Evan said pleasantly.
"What're you doing here?" Aberforth asked suspiciously.
Evan looked at him with a confused expression. "Same reason why anyone would go to a bar, I guess. Well, depends on the kind of bar too I suppose." He grinned at Aberforth's snort. "I've missed hearing that."
"Don't tell me we're friends over there," Aberforth said with disbelief, reaching under his bar and pulling out a bottle of butterbeer and slid it to Evan after popping the top off.
Evan took an appreciative sip. "I like to think we were," Evan said softly.
Something in his tone made Aberforth look at him closely. "So it's true then? You're from a different time where things were shite?"
"To put it lightly," Evan said.
"And how did we allegedly become friends?" Aberforth asked, crossing his arms and looking down at the young man.
"By bitching about your brother and complaining about his many faults," Evan said and smiled when Aberforth laughed loudly.
"Okay, that I can believe," Aberforth said with a grim smile.
"How'd you hear that by the way?" Evan asked curiously. "You talking to him more here?"
Aberforth snorted loudly. "No. McGonagall comes over sometimes when she wants more peace and quiet. Tells me things sometimes."
"Huh, that's cool," Evan said, nodding. He sat and drank in silence and Aberforth found it surprising that the silence was not awkward at all, almost companionable even.
"Judging from your tone, we never made up, over there," Aberforth said quietly.
"Didn't get a chance to."
Aberforth nodded. "Did I want to?"
"You wanted a last chance to tell him to go fuck himself," Evan said to more laughter.
"Not even a portrait to say that to?" Aberforth asked, eyes narrowed.
"Not much of a place for a portrait to go," Evan said quietly. "Or any portraits really."
"Damn."
"Which actually is another reason I'm here today," Evan said. He looked up at the portrait over the bar and smiled when a young girl appeared. "Hi Ari."
"You know her?" Aberforth gasped and Ariana Dumbledore's painted form looked at Evan with equal surprise.
"Sure do, and uh, not entirely sure what's going to happen but I made a promise. So, here's hoping." Evan opened a beaded bag and reached deep within, his arm going up to his shoulder. He grabbed something and pulled it out slowly and gently.
Aberforth gasped again. It was a painting, but not only that, it was the exact same as the one that hung on the wall. The frame was the same, save for some charring and damage, but the canvas was pristine and another Ariana was sitting within it, eyes closed in slumber. His eyes prickled and the other Ariana pushed hard on her painting, staring at the other sleeping girl.
"Time to wake up," Evan said gently and tapped the painting with his wand.
The Ariana in the damaged frame woke slowly, eyes blinking sleepily as she yawned. She smiled at Evan before her eyes popped wide when she saw Aberforth. She gasped and looked up at the other Ariana and both girls stared at each other. She then looked back at Evan wildly.
"Sorry," Evan said, pained. "It's not our bar, not our Old Man. We got sucked into a different plane and a different time."
"That's weird," both Arianas said together, making them look at each other with surprise and Aberforth laugh with delight. They smiled shyly at each other.
"But as far as I could tell, this one is as good as ours…was," Evan continued. "And I'm trying to pull Albus' head out of his arse, sort of."
"Good luck," both Arianas and Aberforth said and they all laughed at that.
"Let's see here, may I?" At Aberforth's nod, Evan directed the painting with the damaged frame with his wand and it settled beside the undamaged one. After the painting settled, Ariana looked to the side and when encouraged by her counterpart, stepped gingerly through one side and popped into the undamaged frame. The girls cheered and they ran up to each other, inspecting the other critically before exploding in happy conversation.
"How?" Aberforth whispered, eyes wet as he watched them laugh and chatter.
"Hogsmeade was burning," Evan said thickly, making Aberforth turn his head to stare. "So many dead on either side. You went into the tavern and came out with her. You told me to take her and get out, to find a safe place for her. Said I was the only person you could trust to keep her safe. Then you went back into the village and well, you never came back. But found out later that most of them didn't make it back because of you either."
Evan put the beaded bag back into his robes. "Carried her with me, hoping to find her a good family or a good place but she refused to go anywhere. Sorry it took me a while to come here. I've been so busy and a lot of my memories are still coming and going and when I saw her painting when going through the bag, I remembered and came here."
The haunted young man coughed. "I hope it's alright for her to be here."
"Of course it is," Aberforth said gruffly, wiping his eyes on a rag and turning to look at Evan again.
"Good, it's her home and you're her family," Evan said softly.
Aberforth looked at him for a long moment. "We probably were friends," he said quietly. "I wouldn't trust her with anyone else." He reached into a different part of the bar and pulled out a bottle. He uncorked it and gave it to Evan.
"Always hiding the good stuff," Evan said with glinting eyes. He and Aberforth sat and drank together, listening to the happy chattering of the two girls that looked so very similar to the other.
-0-
"I can't believe that you're going to the Ball with him," Sophie said.
"I can," Colette said. "I wanted to ask him first but didn't out of loyalty and yet you did this! Betrayal!"
"Who were the last two you dated again?" Aimee asked dryly. "And how did that happen?"
"If you're trying to shame me, I feel none," Colette said loftily. "I have no problems dating people Fleur has. I am unintimidated that they dated her. I know my worth."
Fleur smiled. "And Colette has saved me by dating some first and finding information for me."
"Exactly! I provide a valuable service," Colette said with smug superiority.
Sophie watched with fond amusement as Colette shrieked after being hit with a stinger from Aimee. She and Fleur snickered together, watching them run around the shared room and chasing each other. "Don't ruin your hair! I spent too long helping you!"
"Why are you surprised that I am going with him?" Fleur asked, looking at her cousin.
"Normally you try not to befriend ones you are competing against," Sophie said prosaically. "Typically it is not a problem because the opposition is usually terrible in attitude and personality."
"True," Fleur sighed.
"Also, I thought he annoyed you," Sophie said.
Fleur smiled wryly. "Somewhat, but in a good way."
"Might want to explain that," Sophie said with a similar smile.
Fleur sighed but sat when Sophie pushed her into a chair, sitting still while Sophie tended to her hair. "He only annoyed me because he was so deftly ignoring my hints about the Ball. Other than that, he's been a model gentleman. He has aided all of us with information that he could have hoarded. He's been encouraging. Kind."
"He's powerful," Colette said, having gained her revenge on Aimee and walked over to join them. "Creating that giant construct and having it overpower a dragon is no easy thing."
Aimee joined them too, rubbing her backside and elbowing Colette sharply. "And I've heard he's helped demonstrate magic in the older classes when asked to by professors. Not to mention he's an incredible flyer."
"All good things to look for in a partner," Colette nodded. She frowned. "But that has never enticed you fully in the past. I've known plenty that fit that criteria that you have ignored."
"Well Evan cares about family," Aimee said thoughtfully. "He prevented little Gabi from being involved and we all know he's competing to spare his little brother the same fate. And you can tell he cares when he is with him and his friends."
"Wait, why was he ignoring your advances?" Colette said. "I mean, look at you. Men and women drool over you. We," she gestured at herself, Aimee, and Sophie, "know that you're not as perfect as you look and are actually awful but he doesn't." She kicked Fleur back, hopping on one leg.
"You're not wanting to spend time with him because he's allegedly from the future?" Aimee asked. "Didn't you say something like he said you would be fine during the First Task?"
"I am very curious," Fleur admitted. "But no, that's not the main reason, not even a pressing one. You're not wrong however. He has ignored my hints, not advances, claiming that it would not be good for some reason."
Sophie smiled when Colette and Fleur exchanged rude hand gestures. "Oh no, you're doing that thing where you want something you can't have." She pushed Fleur back and looked at the other two girls. "Tante Apolline would try to keep Fleur away from the sweets and she would get into trouble trying to get them. In fact, she actually tricked Fleur a lot when we were little, saying she couldn't have actually good things and Fleur would want them out of contrariness."
Fleur flushed and glared at Sophie as she and the other two cackled. "No," she said through gritted teeth. "Though I would like to know why he thinks such a thing." She looked away, trying to recapture dignity. "He is fascinating," she said. "He also seems resistant to the Allure."
"Oh? Now that's rare," Sophie said and the other girls looked surprised.
"And not immune like those who are utterly not attracted," Fleur continued. "I can tell it does affect him. More like…he is used to it, somehow. Familiar."
"What if he does not want to be involved with you now is because of you in the other place and he and you were a thing and it went terribly!" Colette exclaimed, making Aimee and Sophie howl with laughter and Fleur glare. "What did you do?!"
"How would I know and why would you assume it was my fault?!" Fleur shouted, rising to her feet and pushing Colette, sending her stumbling.
"Because this is you we are talking about!" Colette said, throwing a pillow at Fleur and hitting her in the face.
"I'm not fixing your hair again!" Sophie cried as Fleur and Colette went over in a heap, scrapping with each other. They eventually stopped fighting and the girls finished getting ready for the Yule Ball. They joined the rest of their fellow visiting students in the main part of the gigantic carriage/mobile estate that brought them to Hogwarts in the foyer part of the carriage. A swirl of colors and robe designs filled the room as Maxime and the other professors helped cast warming charms and weather charms on them to help them make it through the wintery elements to the castle.
"Aren't you meeting your date?" Fleur asked.
"At the castle," Colette said. "I have to help Aimee and Sophie threaten your date to remain on his good behavior.
Fleur snorted richly. "I can handle myself," she said fondly.
"We know, it's still fun," Aimee smiled.
"Plus I am very interested in seeing what he will do, since you said he intends to 'knock your socks off'," Sophie giggled. She looked out the window. "Speaking of."
One of the Beauxbatons house elves opened a side door and gave the visitor a close look before turning. "Monsieur Potter is here for you, Mademoiselle Fleur."
"Merci, Phillipe," Fleur said. She gave herself a last look in the mirror, making sure her dress robes were in place. She wore silver robes that looked like liquid metal, flowing over her skin and moving with her. Her long blonde hair was done up and threads of silver were woven into her locks, catching the light no matter how she moved. The dahlia flower that Evan created were woven into the design as well, over her right ear. Her overrobes were a softer silver, looking less metallic but still bright. She then nodded and her eyes lit up when Evan stepped into the foyer.
He wore robes in dark grey, looking like metallic charcoal. The edges were midnight black, looking as soft as velvet. He moved with an easy grace that caught the eye and when he saw her, he stopped momentarily, his eyes widening slightly and drinking her details in. Something that did not escape her notice and that made her feel quite warm.
"You clean up very well, Mister Potter," she said, smiling at him.
"I've had a lot of practice with that," he said, grinning at her. "You look beautiful, Mademoiselle Delacour."
"Thank you," she said primly. Her eyes widened when he offered her a black box. "For me?"
"A traditional gift for a partner to a Ball," he said simply. He smiled softly when she opened the box and how happy she looked when she looked at the necklace within, not hiding or overemphasizing her emotions.
"C'est merveilleux," she exclaimed, taking out the necklace of white-gold. It was simple in design, an array of links well connected. She put it on, feeling the delicate metal settle securely around her neck. A tingle of magic washed over her and she raised an eyebrow at him.
"Warming and heating charms for those used to less cold climates," he said. He gestured for her to hold her arm out and he put on a corsage of metal and ribbons around her left wrist, the flowers cunningly made from metal as well. "Something Muggles do for dances. A bit of fun."
"Consider me impressed," Fleur said, her delight open to see. "Perhaps you have gone on a date or two."
"Yeah? How are your socks?" he asked, smiling.
"Firmly in place," she replied with an equal smile.
Sophie smiled at her cousin before giving Evan a stern look. "I expect you to treat my cousin properly.
"I solemnly swear to be a proper date," Evan said seriously.
"So you say, but would you not even offer your cloak to shield her from the snow and the wind?" Colette asked, sounding offended. "Or provide some other means of protection?"
"Well that's what the necklace and corsage is for," Evan smiled. He stepped back out in the snow and out from under the awning that covered the door. "I might offer her my cloak if she needs it, but I tested the charms well. She shouldn't even feel the snow at all. Besides, I didn't want to overburden him."
"Him?" Aimee asked, frowning. She and the others gasped as a large form came from the dark and stood behind Harry. It was avian and equine in appearance, with the former in the front and the latter behind. A sharp beak hung over Evan's head, situated beneath the eyes of a predator. Large wings extended, shielding him from the falling snow. Slate grey feathers transitioned into pearl mottled hair as the hippogriff looked down at them all with intelligent eyes.
"Ladies, meet Buckbeak," Evan said, bowing to the hippogriff who bowed gravely back. "He has consented to take Fleur and I to the castle in grand style. And don't worry, I have compensated him well with plenty of tasty ferrety treats and he is more than willing to do this."
He held his hand out and Fleur took it, gripping it tighter when she stepped into the snow. She looked up at the hippogriff with mild trepidation. "Just bow a bit, or curtsey," Evan said encouragingly. "Buckbeak only looks mean. He has a case of resting bird face. He's actually quite nice. See?" He grinned when the hippogriff huffed lightly and nudged Evan with his head before bowing back to a delighted Fleur.
"I see you have that effect on many people," Fleur said lightly, feeling better when Buckbeak nodded.
"And after going through all the trouble of asking Buckbeak to help? So rude," Evan sighed with faux sadness. "I thought you would appreciate having him take us to the castle because you have a lot in common."
"What does that mean?" she asked, frowning when she climbed onto Buckbeak's back with Evan's help and sitting side saddle.
"You know, both proud and powerful. Avian features and temperaments." Evan grinned, climbing up and sitting in front of Fleur and grinning at her scowl.
"Surely this is a bit much," Aimee said, looking up at them. "We are not that far from the castle for a walk."
"For a walk no, less even for flying. But we're doing this for style," Evan grinned. He turned to Fleur as Buckbeak bent slightly, wings extending fully. "You don't mind flying, right?"
"What?!" Fleur managed to say before her voice became a shriek as Buckbeak swiftly cantered into a gallop and then jumped into the air. Powerful sweeps of his wings sent them high into the sky and Fleur wrapped her arms around Evan's middle from behind and her shriek mingled with Buckbeak's, though hers had a very different connotation from his. Evan's laughter could be heard over both and the hippogriff soared into the night's sky.
Aimee, Sophie, and Colette gaped as they stared up and watched as the flying magical creature took his riders around the castle, swooping around the towers and flying lazily but impressively around the school. The others in the carriage watched through the windows and gasped and exclaimed, chatting loudly with one another at the sight.
"That would knock my socks off," Sophie said wonderingly.
"Among other articles of clothing," Colette said throatily.
After the first turn around the castle, Fleur relaxed her grip. She throttled her desire to throttle Evan for springing this on her, also managing to stop herself from throwing him off, practically realizing that she would not be able to control the hippogriff otherwise. After a few more moments, she started enjoying herself. The view was incredible with the falling snow and seeing the castle lit up with thousands of lights from lanterns and torches and candles. The snow looked like stars as they flew past.
Buckbeak felt firm beneath her and she felt safer the longer he flew. She realized that she was still hugging Evan from behind and after a moment, she leaned closer to him, holding him to her. He did not try to move away and instead slid back a little, letting her cling on more securely. True to his word, the snow did not touch her at all and despite the rushing wind, she felt perfectly warm.
After three circuits around the castle and grounds, Buckbeak soared down to the earth and he landed neatly in the courtyard, landing with barely a jostle or thump. He looked pleased and proud, especially when Evan patted his neck. With head high, the hippogriff cantered up to the main doors that opened before them.
The waiting students and visitors gasped as Buckbeak walked proudly into the castle, his talons and hooves clicking and clopping on the solid stone beneath. The others parted before the beast, gasping once more when they realized that Evan and Fleur were riding the steed into the castle. Eventually Buckbeak came to a stop at the front of the foyer, standing tall and proud, unbothered by the masses around him.
Viktor, with Ana at his side, had looked and laughed loudly and appreciatively at the sight with Ana looking on with delighted astonishment. Cedric had gaped when Buckbeak appeared and Cho's jaw fell open when she saw them. Used to being stared at for many reasons, though this was a new one, Fleur was not bothered and she continued to lean into Evan's back, her arms still around his middle.
McGonagall, who had been standing there with the other two Champions and their partners, had shaken her head slowly when Evan and Fleur arrived on Buckbeak and she looked up at Evan who smiled jauntily down at her. "You are not riding Buckbeak into the Great Hall," she said, giving him an incredibly stern look.
"Fair enough," Evan said genially. He gently patted Fleur's hands and she let him go reluctantly. He slid off with ease and held his hands out and she took them eagerly, sliding down with his help. She landed lightly and her smile was wide and for all to see.
"Thanks for the ride," Evan said, patting Buckbeak's neck warmly.
"Yes, thank you," Fleur said and carefully petted the hippogriff who made a rumbling noise of appreciation. Buckbeak bowed gravely back to them and then left the castle altogether, his footsteps making a happy staccato of noises as he did.
"Trying to make us look bad?" Cedric asked with a big smile.
"I thought I already did during the First Task," Evan said, tucking Fleur's arm into his and smiling back at Viktor who laughed loudly once more.
"Last I remembered, we are tied on points," Viktor chuckled. "And we are in the lead."
"Yeah but Godzilla gives me coolness points," Evan said smugly.
"He's not wrong," Cho said shyly. "My cousins lost their minds when I told them what he did. They love Godzilla."
"Were you not freezing?" Ana asked Fleur. "It's cold enough for even us to think so."
Fleur ran her fingers over the necklace. "Surprisingly not," she said with a soft smile.
-0-
"He's so cool," Harry said with a big smile.
"Did you know he was going to do that?" Lavender asked, her eyes shining.
Harry shook his head. "Not at all! Though I knew he was going to do something cool. He promised to knock her socks off after all."
He and his friends had enjoyed seeing Evan's entrance and when the doors to the Great Hall opened, they streamed in with the rest. The Great Hall had been decorated in gleaming whites and blues and the enchanted ceiling showered them in magical snow that melted well above their heads. The long tables were replaced with many small round ones and people drifted to them to sit with friends and their partners. The walls were lined with trees that were decorated with twinkling lights and shiny ornaments and icicles that did not melt.
"He's cooler than Bill and Charlie," Ron said admiringly. He looked down at himself. The dress robes that his mother had gotten him that were very fashionable, from a very different fashion period, had been changed by the spell that Evan had taught Ron. The lace was gone and the top portion was shrunken down some, becoming more form fitting. The effect was dramatically different and did wonders for Ron's confidence, especially since Lavender had really liked his look.
"It's like when we flew on Buckbeak," Harry said softly, smiling shyly at Hermione.
She smiled prettily back. "Glad it wasn't winter when we did it," she said. "It's freezing out there!"
Harry had been nervous all day. He was still surprised that Hermione was his date to the Yule Ball, despite being the one that actively asked her. He had noticed them steadily growing closer and closer as the term ended and with Evan's encouragement, had taken the leap. Of course he was worried that things might go wrong, he was Harry Potter of course and things tended to do that when he was involved. He did not know what he would do if he and Hermione would not be friends anymore. That period of time during third year when they fought over the Firebolt was bad for him and in hindsight, he really did miss her.
His nerves had dissipated when she came down the stairs into the common room and he saw how beautiful and happy she looked. She too looked nervous but when she saw him, she had smiled and he felt something inside relax. When they went to the foyer with Ron and Lavender, he was struck by just how truly happy she looked and he decided that he would be happy just like that.
He was already having a wonderful time and the night had barely started.
-0-
Fleur was truly enjoying herself.
Their entrance to the Ball was over the top and she had to admit that it was wonderful, after she got over the fact that they were flying in the middle of a blizzard on the back of a hippogriff. True to his word, Evan had been a perfect gentleman and though he acted with impeccable manners, that grin he usually wore softened them slightly, making it more comfortable and endearing even.
She had gone on dates before and the vast majority of them usually had her date being an unfocussed mess. Lost to her allure and their own lusts, they were braggards and tried to impress her and usually did the opposite. Or they became nearly drooling idiots that barely listened to her, spending their time staring at her instead.
Not Evan.
He could carry a conversation, he could listen. In fact, he teased her and delighted in doing so. He argued with her not because he thought he was better, but because he was not going to simply listen to her and go along with whatever she said.
It was a novelty to her and she was enjoying it all the more.
She relaxed more as the night went on. The rigidity softened. Her mood warmed. She smiled more.
Something her friends noticed and enjoyed as much as she did.
Dinner went by in a flash and soon there was music and dancing. The Champions and their partners opened the Ball with a more formal dance. Fleur held Evan's hand in right, her left rested around his shoulder and they swayed to the music. "You even know how to ballroom dance," she said with mild surprise.
"Surprisingly," Evan said, with that same lopsided grin. "It was a nice distraction."
She said nothing else for a moment, feeling him tense slightly under her hand. After a moment of hesitation, she pulsed her magic through her hands, looking at him for his reaction.
He blinked a few times before giving her a wry look. "I'm already your date," he said with that same smile.
"I was hoping to relax you somewhat," Fleur said loftily. She looked at him. "How are you resistant?"
He shrugged. "Don't know. Pure stubbornness I think." He smiled at her laugh. "My parents had it in spades and I'm told I got it from both of them." His expression stilled and he looked intensely sad for a moment.
Her heart ached seeing his expression and she pulsed her magic again.
"You don't have to do that," Evan said, smiling wryly at her.
"It is for me," she lied. "I cannot have my date look so morose. That would tarnish my reputation." She felt better when he laughed openly at that.
"That would be a shame," he agreed. "I'm fine," he said. He looked at her closely. "You're looking really relaxed too."
She was surprised how much she was. "Perhaps you have your own calming Allure," she said.
He laughed louder and harder and she joined him easily. "I'd say the opposite," he said, grinning widely.
"You do have a talent for the opposite, yes," she giggled.
"A well-practiced skill," Evan smiled.
The formal music became more informal as the Weird Sisters took the stage. The dancing changed pace and energy, and more laughter filled the air as the students danced and enjoyed themselves fully. Fleur's friends joined them as did Harry and his and for a night, the whole world existed within the Great Hall and the rest of the world went by unnoticed and unheeded outside the castle.
"And how are you?" Sophie asked during a slight lull in the merriment.
"I am wonderful," Fleur said honestly. "He has been a perfect date and I'm enjoying myself very much. You?"
"Same, but Aimee and I have been together for some time now so there wasn't any concern," Sophie smiled. "You do look very happy," she said to a beaming Fleur. Her smile turned sly and she looked to the side. "For now."
"I know Colette is having some fun," Fleur snorted, watching her friend dance with Evan. "She won't do anything too much and I know Evan will respond in kind."
"Would you look at that," Sophie laughed, seeing Colette blink slowly with a bright red face while Evan smiled back pleasantly, looking more composed. "Usually it's the other way around."
"I'll have to ask him what he did, she's typically shameless," Fleur laughed.
The night was winding down as the hour grew late. Some of the students and guests had already left with others leaving either alone or with another. Feeling reluctant for the night to end, Fleur left with her arm in Evan's and they made their way out of the castle and over the grounds, walking to the Beauxbatons carriage. Snow continued to fall, blanketing everything and making the world soft and silent.
"No ride back?" Fleur asked with a curl to her lips.
Evan smiled and shook his head. "Buckbeak gets cranky if he doesn't get his beauty sleep." He took out his wand and drew a symbol with the tip before holding it straight up. An invisible umbrella formed above their heads and the snow gently evaporated into nothingness before hitting them, leaving them warm and dry.
"Warming charm woven with an umbrella charm?" Fleur asked with interest, looking up at the magic above them.
"Full marks," Evan said.
Fleur smiled but the smile faded some when she noticed how his eyes were never still. How his head turned slightly left and right and he constantly took in the surroundings. "Are you expecting something?" she asked.
Evan started and looked down apologetically. "Sorry, habit."
She looked into his eyes, sapphire blue meeting emerald green. She saw things there, hidden just behind his gaze. She looked at the scars on his face, the largest being the most recognizable lightning-bolt on his forehead. "You have endured much," she said softly.
"No more than most people," Evan said nonchalantly.
"You have so many scars," she said sadly.
"Mine are just easier to see," he shrugged. He looked at her. "Not everyone's are so obvious. Doesn't make them any less of a scar though."
She said nothing, her arm tightening around his. "May I ask you a question?"
"Go for it."
"Why were you so adverse at being my date for the Ball?" she asked boldly. "Am I so hideous that you do not wish to look at me?" She smiled as his laughter bounced off the snow around them, making him merry for a moment.
"Yeah, you know that's not why," he said, grinning at her look of self-satisfaction. "I made a promise to try and respect people's autonomy here. Since I'm from a different time and place. I don't want to force people to do things that they ended up doing in my plane."
"That is very kind of you," she said. "But surely not everything is the same. Your appearance has already changed much and that creates even more."
"Right, but still, I don't want to influence people unless it's for protecting Harry and for doing the other thing I'm here for."
She smiled. "You care much for him."
"I do," he said without hesitation. "He deserves watching out for and had too little of that. Like I did. I could've used someone to watch out for me so I'm not letting him suffer."
Her grip tightened more. "Did we, did the other me and you, did something terrible happen between us?" She relaxed at his open laughter that rang around the countryside.
"Not at all," he said, his smile turning fond and nostalgic. "I counted her as a dear friend and liked to think she did the same, even though she called me a 'leetle boy' when we first met." He squeezed her arm with his at her look of embarrassment. "I mean, you are older than this Harry and that's how it was in my plane. I didn't take too much offense."
"I apologize for her," Fleur said, cheeks pink.
"Don't," he said soothingly. "Like I said, we became good friends and as close as family eventually."
"That is good," Fleur said with relief. "And you saved Gabi there?"
He turned grim and resisted the urge to spit. "It was really fucked up to see a little girl floating in the water at the bottom of the Lake, surrounded by others and merfolk." He looked at her with concern when she shivered.
She felt the heat from his charm increase and she sighed with relief. "Thank you," she said.
He nodded in reply, staying silent. They eventually reached the carriage and he bowed low, bending at the waist. "I trust you had an amazing date, Mademoiselle?" He looked up at her, eyes bright and his merry grin firmly in place.
She sniffed lightly. "It has been acceptable, Monsieur."
"Well that won't do," Evan said with a light playful frown. "It's the end, what can I do to change that?" He stopped when she delicately tapped her lips with a finger. "Oh, uh, yeah, not sure that's a great idea."
"And why not," she asked flatly, narrowing her eyes at him. "We have established that you do not find me hideous. And that you and she had no ill history."
"True," he said slowly.
"You wish to respect what we want?" she asked. "Not to influence us?" She smiled at his nod. "Then rest assured that this is something I want. And I think you want this too, despite your protests." She smiled slyly at his hesitation. "Or perhaps in this, you are lacking experience."
He frowned. "I think we established that I know how to show a lady a good time and be a good date."
"Yes you have," she agreed, "mostly." She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. "And we know you are not completely under the influence of the Allure. So, Evan, what are you going to do?"
In the span of a few heartbeats that felt like an eternity, Evan gently but with firm conviction pulled Fleur to him with his hands around her waist. He leaned down as she tilted her head up and their lips met. It felt like fire and wind between them, soft but growing in strength and intensity. She pulled him tighter to her as she kissed him back enthusiastically, breathing him in. She poured her emotion and affection into the kiss and she felt safe and secure in his hands.
And for a moment, he felt the same in hers.
They eventually broke apart for want of air and she blinked, her eyes flickering between amber and blue, and she breathed heavily through slightly swollen lips and she licked them, looking up at him. She saw a softness in his eyes, one she had not seen before. A vulnerability.
Evan shook his head drunkenly for a moment before his eyes became guarded once more and he reluctantly let her go and she did the same with even more reluctance. His grin returned but it was different this time, less cocksure and disarming. "Thank you, Mademoiselle," he said, his voice husky.
"Thank you, Monsieur," she said breathily.
He bent slightly, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "Joyeux Noel, Fleur. See you next year."
"Joyeux Noel, Evan," she said. She stayed under the awning, watching him walk away back to the castle. She did not move until he was lost to sight, swallowed by the night and the falling snow. Her lips and hand tingling, she turned to the carriage and looked down in surprise when she noticed the material of her stockings had slid down slightly.
With a very large smile, she pulled them taut and entered the carriage, closing the door behind her.