𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. ʀ. ʟᴜᴘɪɴ

forty-seven

Evangeline took a bite of her Chicken Tikka Masala, watching Sirius and Mary talk with one another and Remus occasionally chiming in.

Sirius invited the two over for dinner after Remus informed him that Evangeline was slowly coming around. Figuring it would be a good idea to have some sort of social interaction, he planned a small dinner.

"I've actually got some news," Mary's ever-so gentle voice snapped Evangeline out of thought, "I've decided to move back here. I've signed the papers on a flat here."

"Yes!" Sirius yelled, bringing Mary in for a hug.

Remus saw Evangeline crack the smallest smile for the first time in what felt like forever.

"I'll help you move! When do you plan on going back to America to pack? Do you want me to go with you?" Sirius sprang so many questions on Mary that it made her laugh.

"I've already packed everything, it's shipping here as we speak."

"Oh, praise the gods!"

"That's wonderful news, Mary," Evangeline spoke up, "I look forward to having you here more."

"Me too," Mary said, reaching over the table and taking Evangeline's hand.

"What made you decide to move back?" Remus asked.

Mary shrugged, "you guys, mostly. I never thought I'd step foot back in this country, let alone live here. But after being with you all back in December it made me realize that I've missed this more than I thought. And you, Evangeline, I've loved getting to know you."

That next day, Evangeline decided to visit her mother.

Asteria was far more welcoming than her previous visits.

"How are you feeling?" Asteria asked, pushing a plate of food and a cup of tea in front of Evangeline in the dining room.

"I don't know," Evangeline said, sipping the tea.

"How's Remus?"

"He's Remus. Incredibly doting and safe."

Asteria sat down in in the chair across from Evangeline, "I owe you an apology. I've been neglectful of you for years, I was trying to get you away from this life and I thought the only way to do that was to push you away from me."

Evangeline glanced up at her mother as she cut into pancakes, a meal she was surprised Asteria even knew the name of.

"What?"

"I know what this life can do to someone, what it can to do a child. Pure-blood mania, Dark Lord sympathizers, it brings nothing but sorrow and pain and once I had realized what it was doing to you I... I needed you away from it."

"I never agreed with it."

"I know, the way you've been treated by others because of mine and your father's views is not fair to you. You stepping back from it and getting harassed by other Dark Lord sympathizers was evil and cruel and I will never not be upset that I didn't do more to stop it. I thought if I got you out of my life completely then you might have a chance to finally and completely separate yourself from it all."

"I think I've done a pretty good job at separating myself from it," she muttered, taking a bite into the pancakes.

"You have, and I'm proud. I've always wanted you to stay true to yourself and you've done just that. I'm sorry, my daughter, for being so careless with your heart."

She blinked, taking in her mother's words.

"Are you saying this because you feel bad about what happened?"

"What happened has made me realize that I've been a terrible mother to you, you've constantly tried to keep our relationship intact and I've done nothing to help it. I want us to have a good relationship, I want to be a good mother to you. I know you're all grown and you don't need me–"

"I do need you, mother."

Asteria sat up straighter, "I'm sorry."

"You don't need to–"

"I do," Asteria cut in, "my actions have caused you great pain and I should be apologizing. I thought I was doing the right thing but I wasn't."

"I understand where you were coming from."

Asteria reached a hand over the table, her palm facing up as an invitation. Evangeline dropped her fork and gently took it, Asteria's hand wrapping around here.

"I'll be here," Asteria said as tears welled up in her eyes, "I want to make up for lost time, if you'll let me."

"You know I'll let you."

"I've never understood your ability to forgive so easily."

"I don't forgive easily. I've had a long time to think about how you've been towards me, a long time to forgive you."

"You've every right to be angry, you know."

Evangeline let out a dry chuckle, "I'm aware."

Asteria let go of her hand and stood up, rounding the table to her daughter. Evangeline looked up at her, taking her cue to stand up. Asteria opened her arms and she slowly walked into them.

She wrapped her arms around Asteria's middle, feeling tears well up into her eyes. This wasn't something she'd ever done with her mother. Ever.

"Oh, my dove," Asteria cooed as she brushed a hand over the back of her head, "it hurts, doesn't it?"

Evangeline nodded, "yes," she said, sucking in air.

"I'm so sorry," Asteria said, apologizing for more than one thing.

"I want her back," Evangeline whimpered, "I just want her in my arms, want Remus to hold her."

"I know," Asteria said, pulling back so she could look at her daughter. She placed a palm on her face, gently wiping her tears from her face with her thumb.

If she cried to her mother six months ago she would have been scolded.

"It's okay to hurt," Asteria said, "but do you want to know something?"

"What?"

"You're you, and you've got a soft heart underneath that exterior. The softest hearts hurt the most but they heal stronger."