Snakes and Roses|| Rosekiller || ✔️

10. Rain

WARNING: violence (but this chapter is mainly smut, and i'm not even sorry)

Evan:

Over a week goes by since the Imperius incident.

Evan doesn't see Barty in any classes, because Barty doesn't go to any of them, at least not the ones where he sits next to Evan.

Evan should be glad, really, after all, he had been the one that turned Barty away, that had said he could never forgive him, so he should be glad.

But Barty's absence causes an ache below his ribcage that he can't get rid of, almost like he misses Barty, and maybe that's exactly what it is.

Evan had been spending all available time in the library, the way he always does when he's trying to isolate himself from the world, and with it being Saturday, Evan is spent all day in the library, but after dinner Evan feels like going back to the Common Room, just to see if Barty is there, just so he can see his face.

Evan gets to the Common Room and scans the room, he can't find Barty's face and his heart sinks slightly.

However, much to his displeasure, he is approached by Snape, Mulciber and Avery

"Finally braving the Common Room again are you, Rosier?" Asks Avery

At that moment, Evan catches sight of Barty coming down the stairs into the Common Room, and their eyes lock for a few moments before Evan turns his attention back to the three idiots in front of him.

"Is there a reason you're wasting my time?" Asks Evan

"Not going to kneel for us, Rosier?" Asks Snape

"Wow, Snape, clearly you've never told a joke before because that went down like a lead balloon" Evan drawls

Snape grabs the front of his robes and pulls him closer, sending a jolt of fear down his spine.

"Now listen here, don't get fucking smart with me or you'll be sorry" Snape spits

"You know, Severus, you make an awful lot of threats for someone that doesn't follow through" Evan retorts, hoping that his voice is steady and he sound confident rather than scared.

"Well then, how about I make good on my promises? You're obviously so desperate for it" Snape asks

Snape draws his fist back and it then collides with Evan's cheek.

A white hot pain spreads through his cheek and jaw, taking him completely off guard. He's been punched before, of course, but it's been at least a few weeks since the last time he'd been punched and he's forgotten the pain of it.

He is not happy to be reminded of it.

Snape is still holding on to Evan, so he knows that Snape is not finished, he's pretty sure Snape has only just started, and he has no doubt that Snape will allow Mulciber and Avery to have their fun too.

Evan braces himself for the second hit

Suddenly, Snape is pulled off of Evan and Evan stumbles back slightly, feeling his breathing becoming irregular again. He watches as Barty punches Snape in the face.

Evan doesn't stay to watch the rest, he walks away, he needs space, he needs air, he needs to breathe.

"Evan" he hears his name being called, and he knows Barty is the one calling it, but he doesn't stop he keeps walking.

He walks until he's out of the Castle, the first thing that hits him is the chill in the air, and the next thing that hits him is the hammering rain.

He doesn't mind the rain, in fact, he quite likes it, he finds it refreshing, and yet he keeps walking.