Squeaks, Moony and Padfoot

Chapter 17

George's POV

I could see her across the courtyard. Her small, delicate hands knotting while she paced almost in a circle.

It was late. Most students were in their dorms by now. Somethings happened, she's not usually this careless. If she's caught it's detention.

I walk over to her, seeing her tear-stained cheeks the closer I get. My heart jumps at that, I hate seeing her upset.

As she paces again, I take another step closer to her and gently brush my hands down her arms, as I step in behind her.

She flinches away and whirls around. When she realises it's me, her arms wrap around my waist and she buries her face in my chest, sobbing, "Georgie."

I wrap my arms around her and stroke her hair to calm it down. A little flutter of pride that she can tell it's me and not Fred, washes through me. "Shhh you're okay," I soothe, "What's wrong a is it Sirius," I whisper.

She immediately freezes, her sobs cut off by her panic.

"It's okay," I chuckle quietly. "I haven't told anyone about him. I have to say I was shocked when I found out he was here in the castle."

Evie took a step back and looked up at me with confusion and panic. "How did you find out?" She asked quietly.

I look away from her for a moment, suddenly feeling shy with what I was about to tell her. "The same way I knew you were out here alone, pacing - the map," I confessed.

"You've been watching me," she responds, not really a question.

"Not intentionally," I start. "I often check the map late at night, just to see what's going on, check the coast is clear you know, if Fred and I go out." I explain. "I saw you on the map late at night, creeping down the corridors, then you disappeared."

Evie's brows shot up in surprise.

"Yeah, I was surprised too. So, one night I followed you." I breathe, "Saw you went into the room of requirement. I waited outside and that's when I heard you talking to Sirius. Talking like you were old friends," I continued.

I could see her figuring it all out, like the cogs were all clicking into place. "It was you-you who we heard making a noise on the wall outside," she said calmly.

My cheeks flushed, "Yeah sorry about that, once I realised you were safe and not likely to be murdered by a serial killer, I shifted and well-I fell against the wall."

Evie let out a small chuckle, "Serves you right for eavesdropping," she smiled up at me.

We stood like that for a moment, "E, what's got you out here at this time so upset?" I asked her softly.

She sighs. We sit down on a bench in the shadows as she explains what happened. All of it. That Sirius isn't a murderer, he was framed. A man named Pettigrew is the reason her parents are dead. Finally, explaining her row with Remus.

"So, you think if Sirius finds out Pettigrew is here, he'll go after him?" I asked quietly.

Evie looks to her hands in her lap, "Yes, I can't let him kill Pettigrew. His name will never be cleared if he does!"

I sit and think for a moment, Evie's head rests on my shoulder, while I am at a loss for what to do to help. When finally, I offer, "You should talk to Harry. Maybe he can help?"

Her shoulders tense against my own, "I was trying to keep him out of it but," she sighs. "I think you're right," she says.

We sit quietly like that for a little longer before Evie yawns, "Thanks for looking out for me Georgie."

"Always," I whisper, so quietly I don't think she heard me. I peer it down at her face on my shoulder and see she's beginning to fall asleep. "Come on E, let's get you back to your common room." I say gently, slowly moving away so she is forced to wake up.

Once we have crept down the near silent halls to the Hufflepuff common room, I turn to Evie. "Everything will be fine E, I promise."

Sleepily, she smiled up at me. She gave me a quick hug before opening the door, "Night Georgie."

When she was safely through the door and in her common room, I raced back to my own.

Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew... Seen that name on the map before. But where?