As quiet, introverted Evelyn Berman agrees to spend her sixth year studying at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry, she is introduced to the school's adored Marauders.
From the moment she meets Sirius Black, there's something about the boy t...
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Evelyn woke alone the next morning, only the harsh sound of Peter's snores coming from the bed across from her and a massive, head-splitting hangover greeting her. Surprisingly, the details of the previous night had stuck with her rather well, a tall feat considering the amount of alcohol she had consumed, as did the memory of the conversation she and Sirius had shared in the last few minutes before sleep took her.
At the moment, her muddled, drunk brain had failed to decipher what Sirius was thinking when she mentioned going back to Ilvermorny, but now, even with the throbbing headache that was plaguing her, she had enough clarity to understand just how shocked he was by her statement.
She, herself, had nearly forgotten that she would not be returning to Hogwarts the following year until the words escaped her mouth. She could understand why he was stunned by the sudden reminder, but why had he left her alone in his bed this morning? Surely he wasn't angry with her, why would he be? He had to have known that this was going to happen, after all, that was how exchange programs worked.
"It is going to be strange not having you here next year," Holly spoke, pulling Evelyn's attention away from her troubled thoughts and the rash of bacon she had been sliding around on her plate for the past few minutes.
Evelyn sighed, pushing her untouched plate of food away from her. "I know it will be...different, but it's not like we'll never see each other again! It's just a year and then who knows what will happen after that. We still have our week together over the summer to look forward to, and during the school year I'll write to you all every week, I promise. Just...please stop acting like this is goodbye, because it's not!"
The words came out slightly harsher than she had intended, leaving a hint of guilt behind as she sent apologetic glances toward the others. She hadn't realized just how many concerns she held herself about what the next year would bring, not only for her relationship with Sirius but also for the friendships she had developed at Hogwarts.
Lily sent her a sympathetic glance from across the table. "Of course it's not goodbye, Ev! It's just... it's just a see you later."
"Lily's right," Marlene spoke, her words slightly muffled by her mouthful of toast.
"I'm always right," Lily said smugly as Marlene stuck out her food-covered tongue.
Holly gagged. "Marleeeene," she groaned, slapping a hand to her face. "Seventeen years on this planet and you still haven't learned an ounce of manners!"
The blonde simply shrugged as Evelyn watched with amusement. "See, these are the moments I'm going to miss next year."
"You're going to miss Marlene being disgusting?" Holly questioned.
