"Come in."
Harry opened the door and walked into Evan's room, followed by a floating tray. He smiled when he saw Evan sitting on his bed with Wisteria and Hedwig sitting on him and Crookshanks sprawled over his lap. "Hey big bro," he said, walking over and directing the tray to sit on the bed beside him.
"Hey little bro," Evan said, his voice raw. He looked at Harry and smiled a little. "Nice to cast inconsequential magic like that, right?"
"It is," Harry agreed. He sat down on the bed beside Evan and pushed the tray to him. "Made you more sandwiches but eat that one first. Kreacher insisted."
Evan snorted slightly and picked that one up. "Probably the one he made earlier." He bit into it without his usual good appetite.
"Sirius thinks it's funny how nice Kreacher is to you," Harry remarked.
"We had an understanding in the other plane," Evan said thickly, still chewing. "He's a rude little bastard but treat him with respect and he'll do the same. Mouthy though and kinda funny when you're used to it."
"It is funny to see him and Sirius snipe at each other," Harry snorted. They sat in brotherly silence for some time, punctuated by chewing and Wisteria and Hedwig hooting softly to each other and Crookshanks snoring lightly.
"Sorry."
"What for?" Harry asked.
"Ruining the holiday feeling."
"You didn't," Harry snorted. He frowned. "I'll blame her before blaming you."
"She's just doing her job," Evan said heavily. "Can't blame her too much. She's not completely wrong."
"It's not like you're going around murdering people," Harry protested. "You're protecting people. Me included."
Evan nodded, not saying anything.
"I'm sorry you went through…everything," Harry said awkwardly.
Evan grinned a little. "Me too," he said.
"I still feel bad, you doing all this for me," Harry said. "I know you said I shouldn't, but with all you've gone through, it just doesn't seem fair."
"It isn't," Evan said without rancor. "It wasn't fair our parents died too young. Wasn't fair we grew up in a cupboard when food and shelter and comfort was literally outside the door of it. Wasn't fair that we have to keep dealing with Riddle, fight dark wizards, fight a giant basilisk, deal with dragons, dementors, and fucking useless adults."
Harry nodded in total agreement.
"I do all I do because I want to," Evan said, looking at Harry. "Because I know the alternatives and I'm not going to let them happen. Not this time. You deserve the rest and having someone look out for you."
"So do you," Harry insisted. "I shouldn't be the only one that gets something from this. You've gone through hell, like you said."
"Honestly, it is a lot better here for me," Evan said, leaning back. "I see people I miss again, even if they're not the same." He looked down at Wisteria and Hedwig who cheeped lovingly back at him. "I have an owl back, and Hedwig. I get to sleep in safety, eat, not worry about just surviving.
"I even got a brother," he said softly, looking at Harry.
Harry's heart thumped in his chest. "I still think I'm getting way more."
"Make it up to me later then," Evan said nonchalantly.
Harry nodded. "I will," he promised.
"Yeah you will, we keep those," Evan said, nodding. They sat in more soft silence for a few moments. "Guess I'm a little worried," he said eventually.
"About what?" Harry asked.
Evan shrugged. "How they see me, about all this."
"That didn't seem to bother you before, with the professors and the others at the school."
"Yeah, but that's them," Evan said. "I actually care what the Old Dog thinks. Auntie Andi, Dora, the others, all of them." He snorted, looking at his hands. "In my plane, we were all in the thick of it and we understood for the most part why we did what we did. Some went too far, others not enough, but we all knew it was a fight for survival.
"Here? I probably do look like a nutter that's going about doing what I want and not caring about the consequences. Which, partially true. But I do care about the consequences. Just about the consequences of what if I fail." He clenched his hands. "I don't want the others to…not like me over it though. If it happens, I'll accept it. I just don't like it."
"I really don't think that'd happen," Harry said. "They were all talking after you left and Sirius took Amelia to his office for a private conversation."
"Great, now I'm fucking up his relationship," Evan groaned. "Harry, word of advice for you, keep a rein on your temper. Clearly, losing it does us no good."
Harry snorted. "I don't think it's as bad as you think it is."
Someone knocked on the door and they looked at each other before Evan called out. "Come in."
"Hello there." Hermione walked in holding a tray and she walked over to the bed. "Scootch over please." She sat between Harry and Evan and put the tray down next to the tray that Harry brought. "I made tea and brought some biscuits. We brought a bunch because Sirius mentioned him missing the Muggle tea biscuits and cakes he used to get from Harry's mum. I saw Harry making sandwiches earlier so I brought some tea and sweets."
"Thanks," Evan said quietly, looking at the tray and then looking at Hermione. "You did this for me?"
"Well I'm having some and so is Harry if he wants, but yes of course," Hermione said, getting comfortable on the bed after pouring some cups of tea out. "Harry is my best friend," she said matter-of-factly before giving him a shy smile. "And something more now, that we've yet to determine officially but I'm in no rush." She looked back at Evan. "I'm sure you know this but I don't have the easiest time getting along with people but I didn't have that problem when you arrived. Of course you are Harry too, but you're also not exactly like the Harry I know. And there's nothing wrong with that. I honestly started seeing you a lot like an older brother too."
She frowned playfully. "A very annoying older brother that is rather good at teasing me while being very helpful."
"You've no idea how annoying I can be," Evan said with his customary grin, making Harry smile.
Hermione snorted. "That bodes well for me," she said dryly but still smiling. "I don't know what you've gone through," she said, sobering, "but I know it must have been terrible and I feel awful for you and I want to be there for you too. I'm not afraid of you or anything like that. Nothing you said changes how I feel."
"Thank you." Evan blinked a few times before he reached under a pillow and pulled out the small beaded bag.
"Hey, I recognize that!" Hermione exclaimed after seeing it.
"This belonged to you, well other you," Evan said. He handed it to her gingerly. "Before we went on the run, you enchanted it. Stuffed it full of supplies and things and I never let it go. At the end, it was basically one of two things I considered to be the most precious things to me. This, and my wand. My life was put into that bag and I'm glad I still have it, honestly."
Hermione ran her fingers over it, noticing the state of it, seeing the repairs done to it. It felt just like the bag she had at home, only much more worn and well-used. She looked at Evan. "You and…the other me, you were really close."
Evan nodded; eyes wet. "She was my sister," he said softly. "And I loved her and was glad to see her escape the country. She deserved a much better life."
Hermione sniffled a little and carefully returned the bag to Evan. "I'm glad you had her and she had you," she said. She wriggled comfortably between him and Harry. "And I can't hope to live up to her, but I'm here too."
The door swung open and Dora walked in, carrying a large tray covered in more food. "Oh good, you already have tea," she said, kicking the door shut behind her and walking over. She put the tray down over the air and it looked like it was sitting on a solid surface. She then sat down heavily on Evan's other side. "Pour me a cup?"
Evan did that, looking slightly bemused. "Here you go."
"Thanks!" She wriggled in place, reaching into her back pocket, and pulled out a large bottle. "I brought this too. Took it out of the pantry, pretty sure it's okay to drink."
"Is that alcohol?" Hermione asked, faintly scandalized.
"I sure hope so," Dora said, unperturbed.
Evan pulled the cork out and muttered a charm, sniffing deeply. "It's not poisoned," he said, putting the cork back in. "Doesn't mean it's good though."
"We can see if it's good later then, in case the kiddos don't want to partake," Dora said, winking at Hermione who frowned and Harry who snorted.
"You sure you want to stick close?" Evan asked hesitantly, as if afraid of the answer.
"Don't be thick," Dora snorted deeply, her hair turning black. "We're family. Honestly, the only thing that's changed since hearing what you said is that I want to duel with you more. You took down Greyback. Even I don't think I could do that without getting fucked up in the process if it wasn't an ambush."
"I didn't get out unscathed," Evan demurred.
"Yeah but you're six feet up and he's six feet under and that's what matters," Dora said plainly. "Which means you're good, and with me practicing with you, I'll be even better."
"What about your job?" Evan asked, feeling much better.
"Look, I respect Boss Lady, and I agree there are rules and laws for a reason," Dora said dismissively. "But in the end, what good will they do for you if you're dead? And if you could've prevented being dead but didn't, then you're dead and stupid. Mum and Daddy agree with me, and that's all that matters."
"Cheers," Evan grinned, popping the cork out of the bottle again and handing it to her.
"Cheers!" She took a swig and grimaced. "Ugh, that's rough stuff."
"I think it's rum, actually," Evan said after taking a sip. He looked over at Harry. "I actually don't know if I should offer you any or not."
"Maybe another time," Harry said, smiling sheepishly at Hermione who frowned at the both of them.
Another knock could be heard. "Evan?" Sirius called.
"Come in," Evan called back and Sirius entered, nodding at the others while not looking too surprised that they were there.
"You have a minute?" Sirius asked.
"Yeah, of course," Evan said. He looked down at himself, seeing the owls and the cat who were not in any rush to move, and with the others around him. "Uh, you can just say it right now if it isn't super private. I'd probably tell Harry anyways who'd tell Hermione. And I don't mind Dora knowing."
Sirius grinned before turning somber. "Well if you're not fussed, I'm not. Just wanted to let you know that as long as I'm around, nothing's happening to you. You're my godson and I'm going to do my duty and look out for you." He held up a hand, cutting Evan off. "You're Evan Harry James Potter. You're still my godson. I already failed you before, failed a you before," he shot Harry a sheepish look, "but I'll do my best not to do it again. To either of you. You're doing what's necessary and you can tell you're not doing it for fun. I respect that. I know James and Lily would too, and they'd do it double if it involved their family."
"Really?" Evan asked, hopeful.
Sirius nodded. "Really. I'll always do my best to support you, both of you. And we're in this together. As a family."
"What about you and Amelia?" Evan asked.
Sirius winced slightly before shaking his head. "She's not family, yet or if ever," Sirius said firmly. "Whereas you are family, and you've been a part of mine since you were born. Even if you were from a different place technically. Your Sirius was your godfather too?"
"Yeah," Evan said quietly.
"Then that's all I need to know," Sirius said confidently. "And you're my responsibility too, as much as Harry is."
"Thanks, Old Dog," Evan said quietly, though his eyes were warm.
"Oh he can call you that?" Dora said, frowning at Sirius.
"Old Dog is a lot better than Old Fart," Sirius said loudly, making Evan and Harry laugh and Hermione giggle.
"One does the other," Dora said dismissively.
"And your mum is older than me!"
"I'm telling her you said that!" Dora gasped.
"She knows that!"
"Cheers," Evan grinned, holding the bottle out to Sirius. "It's not poisoned," he added when Sirius looked at it.
"Oh, in that case. Cheers!" Sirius took it and drank. "Oof, I think that's rum," he said, coughing a little, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I should look for the good firewhiskey. And make sure it isn't poisoned."
"May I come in?"
Everyone stopped and looked to the door, seeing Amelia standing there. She looked uncharacteristically nervous and uncertain, waiting at the entryway.
"Come in," Evan said evenly and waited for Amelia to do that.
The woman walked in and stood a bit away from them and she coughed awkwardly. "I'm sorry," she said, looking at Evan. "I mean that," she said when Harry shot her a suspicious look and even Dora frowned lightly. "I think…it's been hard to come to terms with your origins," she said hurriedly, her words finally spilling out behind the dam of her resolve. "Even with the Department of Mysteries verifying the possibility, even with the information you shared, it's still somewhat unbelievable."
She sighed. "I've spent my life dedicated to justice, to enforcing the law. I've seen cases of people taking the law into their own hands and it almost always ends terribly. Then lately, learning about all the people doing wrong in the Ministry, finding covered crimes and other terrible things from people I considered colleagues, it's shaken me some and I was clinging to the idea that the Ministry was good, is good.
"When you appeared, shaking things up, doing things I've dreamt of in bringing the Eaters to justice, it was galling in a way. To see you operate outside the law and obtaining results, well, it bothered me." She looked away shamefully. "But then, Sirius brought up something that really made me think. If I ever had a chance to prevent Edgar from dying…" She rubbed her eyes. "I realized I was being a hypocrite and blaming you for things that I shouldn't be. And holding you to a standard that is unfair to you."
She looked at him, eyes wet. "I want to apologize and I will do my best to try and not judge you in the future."
Evan looked at her for a long moment. He could see how she was now, and how different she was compared to literally mere minutes before, before his outburst. He saw how truly remorseful she looked, how chagrined. She was sincere. After another long moment, he nodded. "I appreciate it, but it's fine," he said. "You're only doing your job. And like I said, making things easier for the Ministry isn't a priority for me."
"I can understand why," she said wryly. "Given my responses."
"Let's just agree to disagree and if and when I plan on actually breaking laws, I'll do you the courtesy of giving you a heads-up," Evan said with a lopsided smile.
Amelia snorted. "I appreciate that." She blinked when Evan leaned forward as much as he could and held a hand out. She shook it firmly, with gratitude. "Thank you for accepting."
"I know how hard it is to accept responsibility for what you've said and done, and appreciate the gesture," Evan said genially. "Next time you threaten to arrest me though, I'm going to start taking it personal."
"I don't think I like the sound of that," she said. She gave him another look. "Did you really punch Greyback in the mouth?"
"You what?!" Dora and Sirius shouted, looking at Evan.
"I did, and it was satisfying," Evan said smugly. He opened the beaded bag and dug around for a moment before pulling something out. "Used this to do it."
"Are those silver knuckles?" Sirius asked as Dora took it from him.
"Sure are. Enchanted for durability, extra oomph on a hit, mild shielding, and a charm to protect your hand when you're in motion," Evan said.
"I want some," Dora said, threading her fingers through the holes. "Can we make it a business expense?"
"I'll bring it up at the next budget meeting," Amelia said, giving Dora a look.
"Aren't you worried about bites and infection from that though?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"The charm should prevent that, but I took a preventative potion against infections beforehand and doused my open wounds with wolfsbane and silver solution after," Evan said. "Croatia checked me for signs of lycanthropy while I was at the Ministry after and there weren't any, so I'm fine."
"I punch Moony in the face all the time and don't worry about that," Sirius grinned. "I only worry about catching sad-sack syndrome from him."
"That is not a thing!" Remus appeared at the door and glared at Sirius.
"Yes it is, because it explains your moody arse!" Sirius shot back.
"What are you all doing in here? Evan needs rest!" Andromeda exclaimed, glaring at the others. She began to argue with Sirius and Remus and Amelia with Ted and the Grangers appearing at the door, drawn by the commotion.
Harry looked over and felt better seeing Evan smile broadly for the first time since they had arrived at Grimmauld, looking much more at peace than before.
-0-
"May I join you?"
Evan looked up and nodded. "Of course, make yourself comfortable." He watched as Remus sat across from him at the long table in the kitchen. Evan had been eating a post-breakfast/pre-lunch snack made by Kreacher along with Wisteria, Hedwig, and Crookshanks. The house elf had raised an eyebrow when Evan asked for three more petling sized portions but had not questioned the young man, doing as requested.
Remus watched the two owls and the cat/kneazle enjoying themselves with a small smile before he turned to Evan. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Feeling pretty good, I bounce back if I can get some food and rest," Evan said without boast or pride, his tone a simple statement. He looked back at Remus. "How are you feeling?"
Remus lapsed into silence for a moment. "I thought I would be more happy, hearing about Greyback's demise," he said honestly. "Don't get me wrong, I am glad he is no longer walking this world and causing pain and torment for others. But I feel a little…hollow, truth be told."
Evan nodded with complete understanding. "I imagine you wish you were the one to do it."
"Yes," Remus said, nodding. "I'm sorry."
"Shouldn't I be saying that to you?" Evan asked, confused. "For taking the opportunity away from you?"
"Oh, that doesn't bother me at all," Remus said honestly. "I am apologizing because you shouldn't have been the one to do it. I wish it had been anyone else, even if it wasn't me. You have already done so much, endured so much."
"Yeah, well, I was there and I did it," Evan said, looking back down at his plate of food.
"Thank you," Remus said softly, reaching out and patting Evan on the shoulder. "Thank you for all you do."
Evan swallowed thickly. "Someone has to do it," he said quietly.
"That doesn't mean you shouldn't be thanked or appreciated," Remus said. "For all that and more."
Evan finally looked up at Remus and nodded.
"You mentioned something about a…preventative?" Remus asked slowly.
"Something we discovered. If you take a potion right before contact, you have a higher chance of not contracting lycanthropy," Evan said quietly. "It doesn't last long and it isn't foolproof, but it helps. Especially if you treat the wounds after with a solution."
"That's nice," Remus said quietly. Suddenly he smiled. "So you really punched Greyback in the mouth?"
Evan smiled too. "I sure did."
"That was extremely dangerous. And quite satisfying I imagine," Remus said, his smile hungry.
"Yes it was and yes, it was." Evan pulled a vial from a pocket and held his wand to his temple. A strand of silver material collected at the end of his wand and he directed it into the vial. "Here, watch and enjoy the aftereffects."
"Thank you, I think I will," Remus said, taking the vial. "I feel like having some tea. How do you take it?"
"Bit of cream or milk and more sugar than I should," Evan said.
Remus chuckled as he assembled the tea, the pot, cups, and prompted the water to boil in the kettle. "Did you ever hear the story how I managed to shut up James and Sirius one day by making literal cotton-mouthed tea?"
Evan shook his head and grinned. "No but I want to."
Remus grinned too. "It was during our fourth year and the two of them were being especially annoying. After irritating me to no end, I decided to spare my sanity and to get some peace and quiet…"
A few minutes later, Sirius entered the kitchen and smiled at a laughing Evan and Remus. He stood there, watching his friend and godson laugh openly and he enjoyed the sights and sounds before narrowing his eyes slightly. "Alright, what's he lying to you about?"
"Just telling Evan the story about the cotton-mouth tea," Remus chuckled.
"Oh right," Sirius laughed. "You know, it does taste pretty good." He looked at Remus. "Give me a few minutes?"
"Of course." Remus nodded companionably to them and left, still chuckling.
"Tea?" Evan asked as Sirius sat beside him.
"Please, thank you." Sirius took the cup and sipped it before looking at Evan directly. "Thank you for accepting Amy's apology."
"Sure," Evan said.
"Why did you accept it so easily?" Sirius asked. "Your father would've carried that grudge for a longer time."
Evan smiled softly before sighing and shrugging. "It's hard admitting you're wrong. She sounded sincere. Besides, she was never my enemy."
"That's really mature of you," Sirius said admiringly. "You didn't accept it for me, did you?"
Evan shrugged again, saying nothing.
"Evan," Sirius said softly, "you're my godson, my family. Don't care that you came from a different plane and time. You're here now and you're my godson. Okay?"
Evan looked away. "Okay," he said, voice thick.
"You've sacrificed too much already," Sirius said gently. "You don't have to do things like this just for me."
"I know," Evan said quietly. "But…again, she was sincere and I don't have the time nor energy to fight her too. Better accept it and hope for the best so I can focus on the other things."
Sirius nodded. "And we're with you, every step of the way." He tapped his teacup against Evan's.
"Thanks," Evan whispered. He and Sirius sat in companionable silence, a silence that was warm and comforting.
"Feel like helping me get back at Remus?" Sirius asked, a mischievous glint in his eye and smile.
"Sure, why not?" Evan grinned.
-0-
Christmas day was an especially cold and wintery day with copious amounts of snow falling down and the wind driving the chill deep into the bones. Grimmauld Place, however, was perfectly warm and the halls were merry and cheery.
The atmosphere within the home had recovered since the confrontation in the kitchen, with everyone being more at peace. Ted, Dora, Andromeda, and Amelia left for work and returned when they finished it, eager to spend more time with another.
True to her word, Amelia was much more pleasant. She kept Evan in the loop with all news from the Auror department regarding the active investigations and other related affairs. Not only that, she conversed more openly with him, discussing tactics and trading opinions and observations. It was a much better relationship than prior and Evan was grateful for it.
Dora and Evan continued to duel and practice with one another, with the various adults joining and watching. Harry and Hermione learned a lot from them and from the other adults who discussed all sorts of things with the Grangers, answering a myriad of questions.
On Christmas Day, they all congregated in the large sitting room that had been fully decorated to reflect the season. A large tree sat in the corner, decorated with floating and twinkling lights and a constant dusting of soft snow. A large star hovered over the top, shining brightly. The smell of pine and cinnamon and citrus and honey filled the air, courtesy of a constantly bubbling cauldron in the corner. A miniature Hogwarts Express wound its way around the room, chugging along and whistling a merry tune.
Harry had never had quite a Christmas like this and he was beyond happy. He was somewhere safe and warm. He was surrounded by people that liked him and wanted him there. He was with Hermione and while in slightly new territory that was now defining him, it felt comforting as much as it did new. He could have easily forgone the gifts even, more than happy to just be there. Sirius, Remus, and Andromeda had ignored that last bit, strenuously even, and the others had followed suit. Now he had new clothing, not hand me downs. Now he had other things he wanted and needed, though he already had what he wanted truth be told.
Sirius, Hedwig, the Tonkses, Remus, Hermione and her parents, and of course Evan and Wisteria.
He reflected for a moment where he was not actively interacting with someone. It had been only a little less than two months since Evan's appearance, and it felt like he had been there for so much longer. Evan, the first person to really fight on his behalf, to care about his health and more importantly, his happiness. The first person to defend him wholesale and unflinchingly, standing up to everyone without hesitation.
That made him feel incredibly warm and he swore to return the favor. To be a source of comradery and comfort to his older brother as he was to him. It felt even more natural now to think of Evan like that.
"You really didn't have to get me anything," Harry said when Evan handed him a slim box.
"Well I did, so you might as well take it," Evan grinned.
Harry opened the box and took out a large handkerchief. "Wow, thanks!" he said, admiring it. It was well made, the fabric soft but solid. It was colored red and gold with his initials embroidered into the corner.
"That does look very nice," Andromeda admired. "May I?" She picked it up and frowned as she felt the material, especially the hem. "Is this…woven metal?"
"Good catch," Evan nodded. "And yes, it is."
"Woven metal?" Hermione asked, looking at it.
"Metal that has been enchanted to be flexible like cloth," Andromeda explained. "Is very magic reactive and can be used in all sorts of things." She gave Evan a look.
"What, you're right about all that," Evan said, blinking at her.
"Why would you have a handkerchief made out of woven metal?" Harry asked.
"Oh uh, well, you know," Evan said, rolling his hand and making a nonchalant gesture with it. "Just in case you need something on hand to deal with a situation." He took the handkerchief from Andromeda and muttered a word and slashed down with it, holding one end in his hands like a handle. The fabric hardened and the hem gleamed, taking on an edge. He muttered another word and it loosened, becoming fabric once more and he wrapped it around his knuckles and incanted once more, making a sheath around his fist. It turned back into an innocuous handkerchief again when he let go of the ends.
"That's so cool!" Harry exclaimed, holding the handkerchief in his hands.
"I want one," Dora said, looking at it. "That's so useful!"
"It is, in a very sneaky way," Andromeda said, giving Evan a look of approval.
"I don't know how I feel about that," Hermione said, giving the handkerchief a look.
"Oh, I guess you don't want yours then?" Evan said, holding up another box. He smiled when she took it, looking pleased and torn in equal measure. "I'll make them for you two too," he said to a smiling Dora and Andromeda. "Dead useful they are."
"I take it's one of those things that are really useful for lots of reasons," Harry said softly.
"You'd be right," Evan grinned. "Thanks for the clothes by the way."
"You're welcome. I didn't know what to get you," Harry said slightly apologetically. "And when the others asked me what you liked or wanted, I noticed you were wearing the things you found at the castle."
"Never got around to getting other stuff, wasn't as important," Evan nodded. "No seriously, I really appreciate it. It's nice having new clothes that are yours." He and Harry shared a look of equal understanding. He smiled when Wisteria brought him one last slim box. He had given her and Hedwig little anklets with bells attached as well as small hats and the owls had danced and barked happily, filling the air with tinkling music. "What's this?" he asked when Wisteria dropped the last box in his hands.
"I think it's a gift," Harry said, laughing when Evan pushed him.
"Git," Evan said with a smile. He opened it and looked at the slim silver torc that sat on the black velvet pillow within the box. It was thin but the metal shone brightly. The ends of the torc were two small silver owls.
"Wow, who got you that?" Harry asked.
Evan opened the small folded piece of paper within the box and he snorted, smiling softly. "Fleur, believe it or not."
"Really?"
He nodded. "'I thought about including socks, but you have not earned them yet'," he read.
"Yet," Harry repeated, grinning. He continued to smile despite Evan's sour look. "It's a nice big ring."
"It's a torc," Evan said. "Like a necklace."
"Oh well that's really nice of her."
"It is," Evan said quietly.
"Aren't you going to wear it?"
Evan looked at him before slowly taking the torc out and slipping it around his neck. The metal moved like quicksilver, shaping gently around his neck and collar. The two owls sat at the front of his throat, glittering in the light. "It's nice," he said, running a finger over it.
"I'm sure you got her something for Christmas too, not to mention the necklace you gave her for the Ball," Harry said, enjoying the look on Evan's face.
"I might have sent her something for Christmas," he admitted. "Least I could do for not doing what I set out to do."
"You didn't send her socks, did you?" Harry asked. He sighed at Evan's grin. "Even I know not to do that!"
"They were very nice," Evan sniffed defensively.
"Hermione, what would you do if you got socks for Christmas?" Harry asked.
"I like socks," Hermione said. "Especially if they were very comfortable."
"What would you do if I got you socks?" Harry asked, frowning slightly.
"I'd like them a lot because you got them and presumably you thought I would like them," Hermione said confidently. "I'd think it'd be really sweet. Not to say I don't love what you did get me though."
"Oh." Harry sighed at Evan's very smug look. "Okay, well, shut up."
"Did you get Fleur socks?" Hermione asked, eyes dancing.
"Maybe," Evan said. "Don't be nosy."
"But I care," Hermione said. "And I am nosy when it involves either of you."
"You think Fleur fancies Evan, right?" Harry asked.
"Oh it's so obvious," Hermione said.
"You two are way too young to be involved in my so-called private life," Evan sniffed. "Just remember, get involved with mine, and I'll retaliate and I know way more about either of you than you know of me." He and Hermione scowled at each other and Harry chuckled at the sight of them, and at Hedwig and Wisteria sitting between them and looking back and forth at them, their movements accompanied by jingling bells.