Sanguine - (adj.) eagerly optimistic, especially under terrible circumstances.
Evangeline was a pureblood witch, her parents' perfect porcelain doll. Evangeline lived a sheltered, predictable life, and she didn't mind it. She didn't know there was a...
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"What is wrong with you?"
Back in the Slytherin common room, an argument had broken out between the fourth year girls. Phoebe Parkinson and Narcissa Black watched the scene unfold with a haughty air about them. Fiona Greengrass, the recipient of the accusation, simply smiled smugly.
"I mean it Fiona, you're demented," said Julie Morgan. "Tell me what you told Edgar."
Evangeline was impressed. In the four years she had known the girl, Julie hadn't stood up to her tormentors once. It seemed they had crossed the line by involving whoever Edgar was. Evangeline didn't know whether to feel proud or scared for her. She had a feeling Julie didn't know what she was getting herself into.
"Why do you care?" Fiona sneered, "Honestly, you get too worked up around him. It's pathetic. I did you a favor."
"You're a miserable wretch, Fiona," Julie declared, but it was clear her resolve was quickly fading. Even from across the room Evangeline could see she was shaking like a leaf. "Why would you make up something like that? You know it's not true."
"Maybe," Narcissa interjected, "but you're too much of a coward to do anything about it."
Phoebe, who had decided she didn't want to be the only one excluded from the conversation, chimed in. "What did you tell him, Fi?"
"She's one of those queers," Fiona declared triumphantly.
"What's a queer?" Phoebe asked.
"A sick kind of girl who preys on others," Narcissa spat.
"But she sleeps with us?" Phoebe looked horrified, "She watches us change!"
Fiona rolled her eyes, "It's not true, Pheebs, we made it up."
Julie clutched her Care of Magical Creatures textbook as though it were a life preserver. The confidence had slipped right through her clammy fingers and withered away. She stood there, stonily silent, eyes darting between the three of them.
"Well it could be true," Narcissa's eyes skimmed over the nervous girl in front of her, picking her apart. "She does dress like one."
Fiona groaned, "Shut up, Narcissa. She can't be. She fancies Edgar Bones, remember?"
"Oh," Phoebe lit up, "Is that why you told him that?"
Narcissa ignored her. "Either way, you've got no shot with him."
Fiona glared at Julie expectantly. "What, not going to say anything?"
Phoebe finally seemed to recognize Evangeline's presence. She wilted a little upon realizing they had a witness. Narcissa, who had looked to Phoebe for approval, followed her gaze to where Evangeline stood. Her expression darkened. "What are you looking at?"
While none of them were looking, Fiona took the opportunity to slap Julie's Care of Magical Creatures textbook out of her hands onto the floor. Pieces of paper hidden between the pages were dislodged and scattered across the carpet. Julie fell to her knees and began scooping it all together. Then Fiona kicked the book away from her reaching hands. Narcissa laughed callously. Phoebe seemed reluctant, but joined in with a bout of nervous laughter.
