Harry Potter: The Forgotten Chronicles- Book 5

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

The next morning, Evelyn walked down the corridors of Hogwarts with Ron, Harry, and Hermione. The sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the stone walls as the castle slowly came to life.

Hermione glanced over at Evelyn, her brow furrowed slightly. "Evelyn, where were you last night? You never came back to our study session."

Evelyn forced a casual smile. "Oh, I was just really tired. Decided to head to bed early," she replied, hoping her tone sounded convincing.

Before Hermione could respond, several Slytherins from the previous night's party passed by. To Evelyn's surprise, many of them greeted her with friendly nods and one even offered a cheerful "morning." She returned their greetings with polite smiles, feeling a bit self-conscious under their attention.

Harry and Ron noticed the unusual interaction, their expressions reflecting confusion. Harry raised an eyebrow as he caught Ron's eye. Ron, unable to hide his amusement, mouthed a silent "Good morning" to Harry. Harry suppressed a chuckle, his lips curving into a small, amused grin.

Hermione, slightly puzzled by the scene but not wanting to press further, turned her attention back to Evelyn. "Well, I'm glad you got some rest. We can catch up on the studying later, right?"

Evelyn nodded, relieved to move past the topic. "Sure, that sounds good."

As they approached the Great Hall for breakfast, Harry and Ron's exchanged looks and Ron's subtle gesture left Evelyn feeling a mix of unease and satisfaction. She wondered what they were thinking but chose not to dwell on it, focusing instead on the surprisingly warm reception she'd received from the Slytherins. 

As the days and classes continued, it reached Evelyn's turn to be interviewed by Umbridge. She had been going though the students alphabetically, something that had been taking an incredibly long time. As Evelyn approached Umbridge's office, the weight of anticipation and anxiety settled heavily on her shoulders. Her footsteps echoed down the dimly lit corridor, each step resonating with the tension of the impending interview. She took a deep breath, mentally reviewing the key points Harry had emphasized during their coaching session.

"Stay calm," Harry had advised. "Answer only what you need to. Don't give away more than necessary."

Evelyn reached the door to Umbridge's office, its ornate decorations and the dark aura it seemed to exude making her heart race. She knocked softly, trying to steady her nerves.

"Come in," came Umbridge's sickly sweet voice from within.

Evelyn opened the door and stepped inside. Umbridge was seated behind her desk, her expression a blend of benign interest and thinly veiled disdain. Her pink robes seemed even more garish in the dim light of the office. She looked up as Evelyn entered, a glint of curiosity in her beady eyes.

"Ah, Miss Riddle," Umbridge said with a saccharine smile. "Do come in. Have a seat."

Evelyn sat down in the chair opposite Umbridge's desk, her posture straight and her expression carefully neutral. She kept her gaze steady, avoiding the temptation to look around the room at the various trinkets and curios that seemed to whisper of Umbridge's obsession with control.

"So," Umbridge began, her tone sugary and deliberate. "I trust you're aware of the purpose of this meeting?"

"Yes, Professor," Evelyn replied, her voice even. "I understand."

Umbridge's smile widened, though it did not reach her eyes. "Excellent. I simply need to ask you a few questions about any extracurricular activities or suspicious behavior you might be involved in. To ensure everything is in order."