Redamancy - R. Lupin

Chapter 18 - Balter

Balter - (v.) to dance gracelessly, without particular art or skill, but perhaps with some enjoyment.

The dress above is what Evangeline wears later in the chapter.

E V A N G E L I N E

"Elio, please stop pouting."

"No."

"Why?"

"You petrified me."

Evangeline rolled her eyes, dropping down on the the couch next to a very pouty Elio.

Its been almost a week since Remus and her had confessed to each other and Elio had not spoken a word to her since she petrified him.

"You were going to hex Remus," she stated with a huff.

"So? That's no reason to petrify someone," he mumbled, glaring at her.

"Yes, actually, that's a perfect reason," she snorted, "also, I'd like to remind you that I walked in on you and Diana Spinnet snogging and I didn't try to hex either of of you."

"Yeah, but you did immediately run to Charlie and tried to convince him to Obliviate you," he snarked back.

"...whatever."

There was a long pause, reminding Evangeline of when they were younger and would spend hours ignoring each other over the smallest things. One time, the pair ignored each other for two days because Evangeline ate Elio's blueberry yogurt without asking.

Just when she was about to stand and leave, thinking he wasn't going to budge, Elio spoke.

"I'll stop trying to hex scarface if you answer one thing," he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "does he make you happy?"

A smile tugged at her lips and she nodded eagerly, "exceptionally so."

"If you mean it, then fine, you have my blessing."

"I didn't ask for your blessing, Elio."

"Too bad."

•••

It was later that evening, after a Christmas Eve dinner, and Evangeline was in her room changing. They'd decided to spend Christmas Eve together in the living room listening to music and drinking butterbeer.

Smiling to herself in the mirror, she smoothed out the velvet green dress. She'd gotten it in Paris a number of years prior.

Moving over to her dresser, she lifted the lid to a small, metal jewelry box and pulled out a pearl necklace. The necklace had been her mother's and she'd gotten it from her father when she received her Hogwarts acceptance letter.

She was about to put it on when a knock sounded at her door. "Its open!" She called out, glancing over as the door opened.

"Hey, the twins told me to come get you, they want to show you some of their new joke items, whatever that means," Remus shrugged, stepping in.

During the past week, her and Remus hadn't done much else aside from a few goodnight kisses; they hadn't spoken about what they were to each other either.

"I'll be done in a minute," she responded, struggling to close the clasp of the necklace correctly.

Remus watched for a moment, an amused smirk etched onto his lips, "need help?"

"Please," she gave him a pleading smile, passing the necklace to him.

Remus stepped behind her, sweeping her hair over her shoulder. His fingers sent shivers down her spine as he brought the necklace around her neck, clasping it.