I know something is terribly wrong the moment I enter the room. It isn't just the expressions on Evan and Reggie's faces, or the silence between them. It isn't even their body language: completely closed off, as far apart as they can possibly be from one another while still in the same room.
... It's the very air itself.
Tension -
Acrimony -
Pain.
My chest suddenly tightening with a nearly overwhelming sense of dread, I stop short and cross my arms in front of me.
My silent bid to gird myself from whatever's coming next.
Gesturing between them, I manage a low whisper, "What, then? What's this?"
Reggie sighs, his frown deepening. Whereas Evan ...
... Evan won't make eye contact with me at all; won't acknowledge my existence, or Reggie's. Instead he keeps his gaze fixed on the floor, his face completely blank.
... Wiped of any emotion.
Clearing my throat impatiently, I try again, "What? What's happened?"
Because something clearly has;
So out with it, then.
"Evan," Reggie whispers seethingly, "Has something he needs to tell you."
"... Evan?"
But Evan merely narrows his eyes at the floor, nothing more.
Suddenly snapping, Reggie moves towards him, leaning in and hissing bitterly, "Really, Evan?!"
... Still nothing.
Unable to bear the suspense any longer and shaken by seeing Reggie like this, I crack, my voice wavering dangerously, "What?! Will one of you just tell me what's wrong already? Please?"
Turning from Evan to me, Reggie's expression changes from outrage to a mixture of pity and sorrow.
"WHAT?!"
It's the worst feeling, being left in suspense of the unknown.
Walking towards me, Reggie's hand slips into his inner jacket pocket. As he nears, he extends his hand to me, a crisp, jet black envelope now in his hand.
Hesitating, he leans in and whispers sadly, "... Perhaps it's best you read for yourself. You can find out the same way I did. Though for that, I'm truly sorry."
... This - this portends ill -
With extreme reluctance, I take the envelope and hold it before me, glancing back over at Evan again. If I'm expecting any sort of reaction from him, I don't get it. As for Reggie, his face tells me everything:
Betrayal. Pain. Heartache.
Flipping the envelope over, I take a few seconds to examine it. Plain, unmarked, save for a large violet wax seal, a fancy letter "W."
The seal, of course, already broken by Reggie.
I can feel their silence all around me as I hold the letter in my hands.
... Never knew silence could be so loud.
And then, only the sound of me slipping a thick letter out the envelope.
Expensive paper. Weighty paper. Carrying an even weightier message.
Unfolding the letter, I sigh and shake my head, looking up again. This time, I speak specifically to Evan. My whisper, a pathetic plea, "... Just tell me ..."
Nothing.
"You're going to make me read it? Whatever this is?"
At this, Reggie begins crying silent tears. Still Evan sits, still as a statue, unmoving and seemingly unmoved.
... Bad
Whatever this is, very, very bad.
I reach for Reggie, but he backs away from me, shaking his head, his voice the faintest murmur, "... Just ... read ..."
Broken already, though I know not why, I force my eyes downward upon the contents of the letter:
"Dearest Reggie,
My sweetest and one true son.
How excited you must be to have heard the tremendous news! How overjoyed - I daresay ecstatic - you must be for your dearest friend Evan! As you can imagine, absolutely everyone here is abuzz, completely taken with the announcement ..."
My eyes fly upwards from the letter at this, "... Announcement?"
More tears streaming down his face, Reggie gestures for me to continue.
Forcing my attention back to the letter, I struggle to continue reading:
"... An arrangement like this, at a time such as this, so vitally important for those of us who strive to uphold the storied traditions and values of our ancestors, our noble names. And though the two of them are so young, I believe I speak for everyone in our circle when I say that Mr. Rosier and Ms. Carrow have made an excellent decision, one surely arrived at from guidance and counsel of those well beyond them in years and wisdom ..."
As I pause this time, my eyes go right back to Evan, "Why - why is she mentioned here?"
But Evan is gone. Worlds away, and far beyond my reach.
As to the 'why' I already know why. I'm stupid, I'm simply in complete shock. Heart sinking, I force myself to read the rest of the letter aloud:
"... It seems that the end of this spring will now mark multiple celebrations. Not only your mutual successes for matriculating from Hogwarts and becoming mature wizards, but in light of an official wedding announcement. And so, my most beloved son, now nothing else remains but for us to find a union for you to equal or surpass that of your most cherished friend. Please extend our most sincere congratulations to both Mr. Rosier and Ms. Carrow on behalf of both your father and I.
With all my love and pride,
W.V.B."
... I let the letter fall away. Rather, the weight of its words pull it to the floor.
"No," I gasp. And again, more softly, "No ..."
A simple word, but one that takes a Herculean effort to summon. As for any other words, far beyond me at this moment.
No -
No -
"... Yes."
Reggie's voice, whispered back to me as I stand frozen in shock.
No!
Shaking my head, I turn my attention yet again to Evan, "No ...?"
Both a statement and question. A plea, even. But one that isn't answered or acknowledged. Rising to his feet in silence, Evan strides out the room.
YOU ARE READING
Coiled (Book 1 of 2)
Fanfic"This is our story: Reggie, Evan, and I." A Marauders Era story that follows the reader (FMC), Regulus Black & Evan Rosier through their last year at Hogwarts into the First Wizarding War. This is book 1 of 2, and contains the first two parts of th...
