The Ice Queen [s.b.]

↠it's your choice, 1.11

October 8th.

The next morning, Anna continues her avoidance of the Gryffindors. Not permanently, she just needs time to think.

First thing on her agenda: finding and making up with Andromeda.

"Andy! I need to talk to you," she says, without a joking note in her tone.

"Go ahead," Andromeda nods her head and clutches her notebooks close to her chest.

"I just wanted to say I'm so sorry. I understand that hearing me say that I didn't have a choice would feel like saying you made the wrong decision. And I'm really sorry for that. And you were right and wrong simultaneously. I don't have a choice right now. I have to take it myself. I'm not marrying someone I don't love. Not in this lifetime or the next. Thank you for helping me see that," Anna declares solemnly.

Andy beams, "I knew you'd come around. I forgive you, you're welcome, and if you ever need anything, Ted and I will help you out. If your parents go on a rampage like mine this Summer, you're welcome to stay with us."

"Thank you, Andy," Anna says, her voice thick. "I'm probably going to have to take you up on that. I have to go, but I'll talk to you tonight, alright?"

"Where are you going?"

"I have to go break up with my fiancee who I've talked to once before," Anna says, then barks out a laugh.

Without another word, Annalee Fawley takes off back to the Slytherin common room.

But waiting outside of it is Lily Evans and Sirius Black.

"Why are you ignoring us?" Lily asks.

"And why'd you go on a date with Evan?" Sirius adds.

"Can't talk now," Anna says quickly and darts into the common room.

Then she starts on the second thing on her agenda, breaking off her engagement.

"Evan!" she calls upon seeing him reading on the couch. "Can I talk to you?"

With that same conniving smile as yesterday, he nods his head and slams his book shut. 

They go into a broom closet attached to the common room.

"What can I do for you, Anna?" he asks patiently.

"We need to break off our engagement. I don't want to marry someone I don't love. No offense," she quickly adds.

Instead of being angry like she expects, he glances at his wrist watch. "20 hours and 17 minutes. I'm impressed. I thought it'd take you at least a day."

"Wait, what?"

"I don't want to marry you either. But I appreciate my life of luxury and my family a lot more than marrying someone who will most likely run away a day in. So here's what going to happen next, my friend-" Evan begins.

"We're friends?" Anna interrupts.

With a look, he says, "Yes, we're friends. Now, tell me exactly what it is you're plotting. I want in."

"I can do that. I'm going to write to my parents, tell them I want none of it. We'll go from there. I'll take full fault for the engagement, you don't have to worry about that," she explains.

"Good. I'm gay, anyways," he adds nonchalantly.

Anna laughs humorlessly, "That makes sense. Not like, you seem gay or any stereotypes or anything. Like that feels pretty fucking poetic."

He whistles, "So the girl's got a mouth on her, huh?"

"I'd curtsy, but I don't care," she remarks dryly. "Are we done? And thank you. For not freaking out, I mean."