𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. ʀ. ʟᴜᴘɪɴ

fifty-one

Evangeline didn't return home until the next day. Remus was at work, leaving Evangeline alone to collect her wits. 

She had yet to hear from the Ministry or her lawyer, she had no clue when a court date would be set but she reckoned it would be sooner or later. 

She received a letter from Dumbledore stating that he had no current plans to fire her from her position at Hogwarts, but would make a final decision following the hearing. However long that would be. She was thankful that he didn't make a decision right away. 

Evangeline decided to cook dinner, maybe food would somehow ease the tension between her and Remus. As she rummaged through the pantry, she heard the telephone ring. She walked across the kitchen and picked up the phone, "hello?"

"Evie?" She heard Sirius' voice over the telephone. 

"It's me, are you calling for Remus? He's working."

"I was calling for him, but I actually wanted to speak to you as well. Remus called me last night after you left, he's worried you'll–"

"I'll what?"

"... break up with him. He's not very proud of what he said, whatever it was. He knows he hurt you."

"I can't exactly say I'm proud of what he said, either."

"I know. But you know Moony, he can get a little high strung when he's scared. He's just worried about what's going to happen with you."

"Not an excuse."

"I'm aware."

"My mother told me the same thing. That he lashed out because he cares. Doesn't make it sting any less, I just wanted a bit of support and he just threw everything back in my face. He may be scared but he isn't the one with his entire career and life on the line."

Sirius was quiet for a few moments. She twirled the cord of the telephone through her fingers as she listened to the silence on the other line. 

"You know he'll be on his knees begging for your forgiveness, right?" Sirius asked, attempting to lighten the mood. 

"I almost wish he won't."

"Why?"

"I hate seeing him eating himself alive out of guilt. Sometimes I wish every time he hurt my feelings or just pissed me off a little that he would just say a simple sorry and move on. He gets low when he knows he's hurt someone, that's why it's so easy to forgive him anytime something happens. I know he's sorry and I wish he could just accept my forgiveness and move on."

"He means well, Evie. Moony's intentions are always good, he just may not execute his feelings well sometimes."

"I know he does."

After her conversation with Sirius, she found herself more worried about Remus' guilt over what he actually said. She didn't need to hold him accountable, he did that enough himself. She grew to think that he likes to punish himself. 

She heard the front door open with a low sigh as she placed a lid over the pasta she made. His footsteps came to a halt before she could even see him. 

"Evangeline?"

"Kitchen."

After a few seconds she heard his footsteps timidly pick back up, that look of guilt and head held low told her enough. He felt horrible. 

He placed his bag on the table and slipped off his coat, "Evangeline, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about everything I said."

She said nothing, leaning a hand on the counter while the other one was perched on her hip. She stared at him across the kitchen, face unmoving.